Household basketry objects consist primarily of receptacles for preparing and serving food and vary widey in dimension, shape, and watertightness. Baskets are used the world over for serving dry food, such as fruit and bread, and they are also used as plates and bowls. Sometimes--if made waterpoof by a special coating or by particularly close plaiting--they are used as containers for liquids. Such receptacles are found in various parts of Europe and Africa (Chad, Rwanda, Ethiopia) and among several groups of North American Indians. By dropping hot stones into the liquid, the Hupa Indians of northwestern California even boil water or food in baskets.

     Openwork, which is permeable and can be made with mesh of various sizes, is used for such utensils as sieves, strainers, and filters. Such basketry objects are used in the most primitive cultures as welll as in the most modern (the tea strainers used in Japan, for example). The flexibility of work done on the diagonal is put to particularly ingenious use by the Africans in beer making.

     Finally, basketry plays an important part as storage containers. For personal possessions there are basket of various sizes with or without lids for storage. Some baskets are very decorative and colorful such as baskets from Africa, Third world, and Europe.                                          

Lutindzi Grass Bowl

The colors of Africa come alive in these grass baskets handwoven in Swaziland. Lutindzi grass is sedge and grows in tufts only in the cracks of rocks. Each blade grows in a sheath and pulls out easily when harvested so it does not damage the roots of the grass - which quickly regenerates and sends out more shoots. This strong grass has been used in Swaziland for hundreds of years to makeropes for tying down roofing thatch.
High up in the mountains of Swaziland, over 700 women support themselves by weaving these baskets. The weaving techniques are passed on from mother to daughter, preserving cultural integrity in this proud nation that is ruled by the last true king on earth.

These and many more beautiful and colorful basket which are hand woven by the women of Africa can be found at Baskets of Africa. URL: www.basketsofafrica.com