Handwoven by Mbundu and Losi women in the Western Province of Zambia, traditional Makenge baskets are extraordinary examples of ethnographic art crafted entirely from the fibrous roots of the native Makenge bush. The harvesting process is inherently sustainable, carried out by local men who carefully dig out and skin the shallow root strands without damaging the mother plant, ensuring the bush thrives for generations. Once harvested, these durable fibers are boiled and custom-colored using traditional natural dyes derived from local roots, leaves, and plant pigments. The women then spend weeks meticulously coiling and weaving the dyed strands into tight, resilient vessels, completing a painstaking production process that can span several months from raw harvest to finished piece.
Deeply rooted in regional heritage, these working baskets play a vital role in daily village life, traditionally used for winnowing grain, storing staples, and holding water. Given as cherished heirloom wedding gifts passed down through generations, their natural earth tones and concentric geometric patterns reflect both cultural traditions and the individual weaver's artistic expression. Over decades of functional use, the root fibers absorb organic oils, developing a rich, glossy patina that enhances their visual depth. Today, these vintage ancestral vessels are celebrated worldwide as museum-quality collectible decor, bringing a profound sense of history, authentic African craftsmanship, and timeless organic texture to contemporary interior space's
22” diameter 6” deep
Field collected 70-80’s
