190217 - Ethiopian Old Tribal used African Borana Milk Container - Ethiopia.

Description

This is one of several types of basketry milk containers made and used by the Borana, a pastoral people who raise cattle in southern Ethiopia. The vegetal fibers used in their fabrication are woven very tightly, they are light and extremely durable, and serve as the ideal container for liquids.
One of the key characteristics of the
gorfa
is the application of cowries, small white shells that enhance the beauty of the container. Among the Borana, all
women are expected to learn to make woven milk containers like the
gorfa
. Milk containers themselves are vital objects in a culture where raising cattle is of central importance. The milk that these containers hold is a symbol of abundance. The container's symbolic meaning stems from its structure--in Borana society, weaving is associated with fertility. The container and the milk thus symbolize the ideal combination of abundance and fertility, two fundamental requirements for the reproduction and prosperity of the family and community. In this society women produce woven containers and men carve wood containers. Both types of containers may serve the same utilitarian function but they are used in different social settings. There also are containers that have both wood and basketry components and therefore require the work of both a man and a woman, usually a husband and wife or at least members of the family living in the same household. Such containers reflect a fundamental element of Borana culture, a healthy interdependence between the sexes manifest in the complementary roles men and women perform in their families and communities.
Part of the Oromo tribe – Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group – the Borana are estimated to total 500,000, but because many live in remote areas it is hard to know exactly how many exist. Borana speak Oromifa. They are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists, who depend exclusively on their livestock for subsistence: Borana make their living by growing and selling cattle and crops, including teff and chatt (a tobacco-like drug). They make most of their domestic goods from wood or skin.
The women are independent and equal to men even with building and owning houses. A wife decides who will enter it, and if her husband comes back and finds another man’s spear stuck in the ground outside her house, he cannot go in.
There are only about 200 Christians among the 150,000 Borana in Ethiopia. Islam has only come to the Borana in the last 100 years. Many Borana have adopted a veneer of Islam over a powerful traditional monotheistic religion. They frequently pray to Waq, the benign god whom they believe "sends the rain and all good things.” The main feature of the Borana religion is not just the powerful veneration accorded to their chief religious leaders, but to the very real spiritual power of the Ayana, or spirits, which posses
A
SUMMARY OF OUR AFRICA-GALLERY SELLING POLICIES
The stand is NOT included.
Payment
- PayPal preferred. For other payment methods please contact us before bidding.
Shipping
- We ship worldwide.
We try and get shipments out as quickly as possible after payment, usually shipping four times weekly.
Combined shipping
- For buyers of multiple items please email us when done shopping for your combined invoice with reduced shipping fees. For urgent deliveries we can arrange courier shipments via DHL (additional charges incurred to be covered by the buyer).
Delivery
– Delivery to most destinations is anywhere between 2 to 8 business days inside Europe and 16 to 21 business days to the rest of the world, after receiving our email confirmation that the item has been shipped. Parcels shipped from the Netherlands are sent using the Post NL and the parcel status is traceable online.
Refunds & Returns
– We are aiming for your complete satisfaction. If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase please return the item to us for a complete refund or exchange. No hassles, no questions asked. Refunds will be issued via PayPal or by Bank only. The shipping cost are not refund.
Please Contact Us
– For any questions, concerns, or clarifications before bidding on or purchasing an item. We are usually able to respond within 24 hours. To avoid spam filters please establish initial contact through the eBay messaging system.
Thank you,
Gijs van Kuijk.