ZULU BASKETS

Out of Africa, but like a chameleon, at home in any surroundings

Colorful, intricately woven Zulu baskets are like heirloom quilts; no two are ever alike. Each reflects the individuality of the artist, whose skillful fingers weave the circumstances of her life into her work, and tell the tale for those who can interpret its meaning.

BASIC DESIGNS

The MARRIAGE design is woven by the bride, or a member of her family, as a gift to the groom. It will be used at the wedding as a beer-drinking vessel, with the story of the marriage, such as the number of cattle paid as bride price, woven for posterity. The more elaborate and affluent the family, the more detailed the design.

Before the drinking vessel is used for the first time, the minute pores are closed from the inside with a paste of moist, coarsely-ground corn, causing the palm fibers to swell and form a watertight seal.

UTSHWALA is the national drink of the Zulu people. It consists of sorghum, corn and water, and the women are the master brewers.

BASIC SHAPES

• ukhamba, tightly-woven bulb shaped container for storing beer

• Isichumo, used for carrying liquids, lid fits over the basket like a cap

• Mbenge, decorative cover for beer basket, shaped like a soup plate

• Iquthu, basket for storing and transporting grain. Also flat platters and shallow open baskets for serving foodstuffs

NATURAL SOURCES

Baskets are fashioned from the folioles of the ilala palm, with the leaves being split with the fingers and left to dry in the sun for about a week. These leaves are spun into very thin threads for fine baskets. Sedges, water-grass and the bark of the wild banana are also used extensively.

Roots, leaves, flowers, berries, bark, mud and other natural materials are used for dyes. Water is added to the raw material, and the palm leaves or grasses are boiled in the mixture for up to two days.

A medium-size basket could take up to thirty days to weave. In Zulu folklore, a basket is born at its base, where it begins to take shape. If the basket is to be of good quality and have the right spirit the base must be meticulous.

A visually dynamic new medium being used by Zulu weavers is brightly colored telephone cable wire. Vibrant bowls and platters are considered to be collectors items and are highly prized.

WEAVES

The basket starts from the "belly button" and is coiled upwards. The weavers believe that this is the "soul" of the basket and that it shapes the size and the form.

There are two distinct weaving processes. The regular basket weave, seen in the smaller herb baskets, is designed to allow aeration of the contents, normally herbs used for medicinal (not culinary) purposes or dried legumes. The coil weave is used for the larger, more elaborate baskets, and is watertight. Utshwala, or home-brewed beer, would be served in these. This beer is brewed from cornmeal, sorghum and millet, and has the consistency of buttermilk or drinking yogurt.

Children are often raised by their grandmothers, and the little girls are taught to weave from about the age of five. The results of their labors are not perfectly symmetrical or evenly patterned, but they are proud to feel that they are contributing to the family income. These little baskets are referred to by the grandmothers as "OOPS" baskets because they are not perfect.

A new twist on an old craft are baskets woven from plastic coated copper wire (telephone wire) this medium is labor intensive and hard on the hands. This work is considered to be collectors items as there are very few artists practising this technique. They also make brilliantly-colored and intricately patterned plates and chargers.

YOUR BASKET

Your basket is totally unique. It is the continent of Africa in tangible form. Its earthy tones speak of a people who live close to nature, whose lives are governed by the rhythms of the seasons. Smell it, and it evokes images of grassy savannas, dust and endless days of sunshine. Feel its smooth firm texture, and you feel life. Feast your eyes on its colors and you feel yourself respond.