Vintage Tutsi Basket from Rwanda - Medium - 9" x 5.5"

Description

The official name of this type of basket is called "Agaseki". which are made from from vegetable fibers by the Tutsi women. The grasses of these trees were soaked in the water for roughly two weeks until the fibers become pliable. The basket is made from naturally occurring dyes in the surrounding area. The black dye is made by boiling banana flowers, which will create a black sap. While the reddish brown dye is made from the seeds and roots of the urukamgi plant. What really sets these baskets apart from the rest is their very intricate weaving patterns and use of very fine woven material. These baskets have a seperate weaving patter from the outside and inside, which gives great pattern contrast. The range of patterns is quite diverse shows the innovation of women from Rwanda. For their traditional use, these baskets were used as containers to transport foods such as eggs, milk, beans, meat, and grains. Baskets such as these could also be given as wedding gifts.
This basket measures 9" x 5.5"