Munyumbwe Winnowing Basket

This Tonga basket is named for where it is woven, the Munyumbwe area of Zambia. The BaTonga people in Zambia are closely related to those in Zimbabwe due to the fact that the two countries used to be one, known as Rhodesia. 

Earthy and rustic, this basket has two walls, resulting in a horizontal, light coloured design on the basket’s exterior and a vertical, dark coloured, geometric design on its interior. This double-thick weave takes extra time and effort to create however makes for very sturdy and strong basket. The palm leaves are sometimes dyed with bark and roots to create unique designs and patterns.

These baskets are still used in their traditional purpose by the BaTonga people to carry harvested grains back from the fields for families to prepare.

Handwoven in Zambia.

Approximately 50-51cm in diameter.