african banana trees

african trees and grassland animals

Often a unique site on the horizon are the African trees.
The African grassland is home for Candelabra trees (genus: euphorbia species: ingens)are found near the equator and in the East Indies and Africa. They live in the savanna. The Candelabra tree can grow up to 30 to 40 feet (10 m) tall. The branches all grow from one trunk, and look like little cacti that grow near the top, giving it the shape of a Candelabra. It has little yellow flowers in mid-winter. The Candelabra tree is beautiful, but poisonous. If a drop of the white sap from the inner tree comes in contact with the skin a blister will form. It will blind you if it touches the eyes and even breathing the fumes burns. This sticky poisonous latex along with its sharp spines makes it so animals don't feed on it. The candelabra tree is sometimes used as a living fence probably because it has sharp spines on its branches, and touching it burns. (by Nirvana H. 2000) Photo: H.Allen 2007 Singida District Tanzania

HIGH QUALITY UKHAMBA

Outstanding quality hand-woven Zulu basket. Bold geometric design in natural tan and black ilala palm.grasses. Large 12.5"H x 35" circumference. Weaver: Nokuthule Ngobes. Thobile Mhlongo

$150.00

natural handwoven zulu ilala palm basket

Intricate Design

Natural, oxblood and black, simple, combination oversewing method making a beautiful intricate design on a smaller basket. Measures8"H x 22" circumference. Weaver Nomusc Hade

$75.00

cream and oxblood ukhamba, different weave

Large marriage design basket

large marriage design basket zulu grass handwoven

Outstanding natural based basket with black and tan marriage design on the sides. Large in size measuring 17"h x 36"circumference. This is a beautiful example of Zulu weaving, with exacting weave and pattern.

Weaver: Celani Mathe

$300.00

zig zag isichumo grass basket zulu hand woven

Zig Zag Patterned Isichumo

Extra large 12"H x 35" circumference bold zig zag pattern in tan, lavender and the natural color of ilala palm. Tight weave and unusual shape, the isichumo is used for carrying liquids and has a bottle cap shaped top. The weaving technique is the same as for the Ukhamba baskets.
Weaver: Linden Jele
$160

Extra tall Ukhamba

12.5"H x 32" circumference round ukhamba. Woven in a nice zig zag pattern in traditional colors of natural black and tan. A simple but perfectly woven basket with even technique and exacting design.

Weaver: Thand Mbathe

$110

zulu grass handwoven basket zizag with grey design

Round Ukhamba
12"h x 28" circumference

10"H x 27.5"circumference triangular shaped Ukhamba basket. Great weave with colors of cream, tan, grey and black in a zig zag design. Good quality round shaped basket. Zizag patterns are masculine symbolizing the Assegais of Shaka.

Weaver: Elizabeth Zulu

$80.00

Large traditional tone Ukhamba

Traditional tones provide this zig zag a pleasing design for this large basket. 13.5"H x 33"circ. Woven in the masculine design of the zig zag symbolizing the assegais of Shaka

Weaver: Linden Jele
$110.00

Beautiful symmetrical design Zulu Ukhamba

tribal designs in earth colored handwoven basket

This basket just feels good when you handle it. It is perfectly shaped and is woven in zig zags of natural tones. Weaver: Lucy Mathe

$90.00

BASIC DESIGN ELEMENTS

Triangle - Masculine

Diamond - Feminine

Double triangle forming hourglass - married man

Double diamond - married woman

Zig zag - (masculine) The Assegais of Shaka

Series of diamonds - feminine The Shields of Shaka

Small squares or dots - celebration of fruitfulness (ie good rains, crops,, new child)

Marriage Design - diamond - the bride- triangle groom (double triangle indicates the groom has been previously married) The number of points around the outside of the design indicates the number of cattle paid for the bride.