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New Arrivals
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Halloween Treats
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Zulu Telephone Wire Plates and Baskets
Traditional Zulu Illala Palm Baskets
   Herb Baskets
   Beer Baskets
   Bowls and Serving Platters
   Museum Quality Art Baskets
Zulu Beadwork
Framed African Art
Other African Crafts
Buddhist Shop
PAINTINGS BY ELEPHANTS
Handmade Thai Silk
Traditional Thai Folk/Meditation Cushions
Mulberry Saa Paper
THAI TEMPLE INCENSE
Thai Chopsticks and Table Settings
Foldup Tatami Mats
Hand Carved Dragons
PEWTER POCKET TOKENS
Art Cubes
STUFFED ANIMALS, DOLLS AND TOYS
Chilean Knit Hats
HAND BEADED BRAZILIAN FLIP FLOPS
EDWARD GOREY SILVER JEWELRY
ORIGINAL MAGNETIC BENDER SETS
PASHMINA SHAWLS
PAPIER MACHE BOXES AND GIFTS
HANDMADE PARROT MOBILES
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Traditional African Zulu Illala Palm Baskets

The Zulus are the largest tribe in South Africa, renowned for their basketry, artistry and craftsmanship. Many women make beautiful baskets using traditional art forms in order to supplement their incomes. For many this is their only means of support. Women work in their homes, assimilating basket weaving into their normal routines permitting them to raise their children, work in the fields, collect water or do other daily chores. Indigenous raw materials are used in making these hand-woven baskets. It can take up to a month to produce a medium-sized basket with its own unique size, shape and design. Each piece is a true collector's item.

Each of these baskets is one of a kind and you will receive the piece pictured. After you place a basket in your shopping cart, it will be removed from inventory. If you look in your shopping basket (link at the top "basket contents"), you should see it there.

Please use the links on the left to view our selection of these handmade baskets.

Traditional Symbols Used in Zulu Baskets
Diamond
Female
Triangle
Male
2 Diamonds
(one above the other) 
Married Woman
2 Triangles
(forming an hourglass) 
Married Man
*Zig Zags    
A Male Basket
("Assegais of Shaka")
*Diamond Variations   
A Feminine Basket
("Shields of Shaka")

*These symbols are often combined for family baskets. Frequently each family member will have their own basket. Family baskets are commonly used to store dried goods (i.e., nuts, beans, herbs, etc.).

Common Colors Used in Zulu Baskets
Brown (Ububende) Palm leaves are kept in muddy soil for up to a week
Khaki Green  & Khaki Brown (Mxuba) Palm leaves are soaked and boiled in a mixture of cow dung and water
Black (Omniyama)  Palm leaves are first precolored in river mud and then boiled for 8 hours in a leaf and water mixture from the Umbuque tree.
Lilac (Ubukhwebezane) Palm leaves are boiled in a mixture of crushed shrub leaves and water.
Pale Red (Bomvu) Palm leaves are boiled for 2 days in a mixture of crushed Tal shrub leaves and water.




All prices quoted in United States dollars.

Shipping will be added at checkout.
All shipping is for the 48 contiguous United States.

If you wish shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Territories or Military Addresses
please email (worldesigns@gmail.com) for shipping costs.

Some items can be shipped to Canada, Europe and Japan.
Please email (worldesigns@gmail.com) for additional shipping costs and to make special arrangements.

Sales tax will be added for orders shipped within New York State.