Notes

This Combretum root basket originates in Angola, made by the Nyemba people. With migration, these skills were brought down to the Kavango area of northern Namibia. Eveline Ndondi is one of the few basketmakers still living who has the skills and knowledge to weave such baskets, making this basket a collector’s piece.

The core and wrapping materials of this basket come from the root of the Combretum zeyheri tree found just under the sandy soil. The vine-like root is scraped using a small sharp knife until the entire root is the same width. The root used for wrapping material is processed in the same manner, but pared down until it is very thin. This material is then soaked in water until it becomes very pliable. The dark grey colour is obtained when the Combretum root is cooked in a dye bath with Euclea divinorum root bark. The golden-blond colour is the natural colour of the scraped Combretum root as it ages; noting that this basket is more than 30 years old. This basket is crafted by using the simple over-sewing technique over two rows at a time and the design resembles a shield with triangles.

- Dr Elizabeth Terry

Provenance

Dr Elizabeth Terry Collection.