What are Binga baskets?

What are Binga baskets?

Binga baskets, also commonly called Tonga baskets, are traditional grain winnowing baskets handmade by the Batonga people in the Binga district of Zimbabwe. Most are characterized by a round, flat shape that display easily on walls, although sometimes they are shaped like a bowl or vase.

Where do Tonga baskets come from?

Tonga baskets are baskets woven by the Tonga women of the Southern Province of Zambia, who are renowned for their basket weaving. The baskets have a distinctive design with a square bottom forming the foundation of the basket.

What type of baskets are Tonga baskets?

Plateau Baskets These are the most commonly known Tonga baskets, traditionally used for winnowing grain. They have a heavy coiled rim and are woven of tiny vines, or creepers, and palm leaves, in a simple over and under weave style.

What are Tonga baskets made of?

These baskets are made from all natural and locally harvested materials such as wild grasses, small vines, and palm leaves dyed with tree bark. The largest sized bowls are still used by the Tonga people for their original purpose of winnowing grains.

Where are Binga baskets made?

Tonga women in northwestern Zimbabwe make flat baskets from grass, reeds, and palm fronds. Used originally for winnowing grain, these baskets can be used functionally for bread or fruit, or they can be used to decorate a wall.

How are Tonga baskets made?

African Tonga Basket Origin The women make the leaves pliable for weaving by boiling them. Tonga women only use natural dyes extracted from the roots and barks of trees to darken the leaves. Once the leaves are soft and dyed, they will be coiled in intricate patterns to make the basket sturdy.

What are the woven baskets called?

The type of baskets that reed is used for are most often referred to as “wicker” baskets, though another popular type of weaving known as “twining” is also a technique used in most wicker baskets.