Description
Zulu Ilala Ukhanba Basket
This basket is uniquely handwoven using the Ilala Palm leaves and shredded grass.
Baskets are tightly woven and used to store locally made sorghum beer.
Handcrafted in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, also known as Zululand, using all-natural materials.
The natural color is beige and other beautiful colors are created using natural dyes from bark, leaves, berries, clay, and roots.
Ilala palm grows along the North-Eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Once cut and dried, the leaf is then prepared for weaving into these fine, water-tight baskets.
The grass swells with the moisture from the beer, making the basket watertight.
Zulu baskets are an integral part of the Zulu culture and customs that
almost disappeared with the introduction of enamel, tin, and plastic, and they are now used mostly in very rural areas.
Authentic traditional Zulu baskets are a rare find at this time.
Collecting these baskets is interesting but challenging.
Decorative beer baskets are made for special ceremonial events such as Marriage, Harvest,
Fertility, Birth Celebrations, and as gifts for family or special friends.
Please notice the tightness of the weave.
A tighter weave is an indication of authenticity and the quality and collectible value of the basket.
This basket has both diamond and triangular shapes, representing both female and male.
The original certificate with the name of the artisan and additional pattern information comes with the basket.
