210349 - Extremely Rare Antique Ethiopian Harari Woven Grass Basket - Ethiopia.

Very old Antique Ethiopian Harari Woven Grass Basket Leather Trim Cowrie Shell 40 cm  and this basket comes from the early 19th century and is more then 100 years old.

Very large early antique Ethiopian Harari Basket, an original high art form from the African city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia. This Harari basket is huge at 40 cm diameter.

Coil built of reeds and woven natural dyed grasses as the design. Vivid decorative geometric pattern.

Harari basketry is an important cultural indicator for the Harari people of Ethiopia, a minority ethnic group from the eastern city of Harar (Asante 2005: 61; Hecht 1992: 5). Traditional basketry is made exclusively by Harari women, and plays an integral role as a symbol of Harari female identity (Hecht 1992: 12). Basket making acts as a right of passage for young girls who are expected to master the art of weaving before their wedding in order to supply a minimum number of baskets for their dowry (Tarsitani 2009: 71; Zekaria 1999: 3). Prior to marriage, young girls produce baskets together as part of a mooy gaar, a social group of similarly aged girls, where they learn weaving and the art of social etiquette (Tarsitani, 2009: 66; Zekaria 1999: 4). The traditional baskets act as a valuable link between tangible and intangible heritage, representing “femininity, family, and community”, while also creating and fortifying social relationships (Tarsitani, 2009: 71).