Approx Dimensions:

Top width 35cm

Height: 8cm

About the item: 

This a Zambian Gweembe Tonga Bowl or Chisuwo in Tonga. They are handwoven in the Gweembe Valley in the  Southern Province and made out of three materials:

1. Vines (Tende in Tonga)

2. Twigs (Nsamu)

3. Palm leaves (Malala)

This is a  skill passed on from generation to another and the income from these baskets help sustain their livelihood.

Traditional weaving in Zambia is a skill that feeds families and instills a much-needed sense of pride in the artist. 

The young pliable Malala reeds are harvested, boiled and then dried in the sun to prepare them for weaving.

The women of the Tonga tribe  in Zambia spend several days creating each intricate basket. 

The baskets are used to winnow grain or carry food. They are often passed from mothers to daughters, lasting over 100 years.

All kinds of dramatic patterns, traditionally in the shape of a spider web or lightning are woven into these baskets and some of the baskets are finished with a distinctive herringbone pattern rim.

They are decorated with symbolic designs, using traditional dyes made from different coloured soils, roots, bark and leaves

They each have their own distinctive design and take about two to three weeks to create.

In recent years, the baskets have been used as Wall Art. 

Winnowing baskets can be used as platters or a centrepiece on a table. They also look beautiful hung a wall, particularly with other winnowing baskets of different sizes.