1979.20.45

Collection type

Object

Description

Large grass basket decorated with four brown bands around circumference, for carrying grain [RTS 2/8/2005].

Long description

Large basket used for carrying grain, consisting of an upright circular rim and deep body with slightly concave sides that swell out convexely over the lower body before curving in to a flattened base. This has been made using a stake and strand twining technique that consists of vertical groups of stiff yellow grass stems (Pantone 7509C), interwoven with horizontal grass stems. The top of the vertical elements have been bent over and woven into a neatly finished and reinforced rim that protrudes from the body as 2 parallel ridges or collars. At the base, the vertical elements cross over one another to form a decorative star with eight arms, visible on both the interior and exterior of the vessel and framed by groups of stems weaving in and out of the arms in 2 concentric circles. Some of the grass stems have been dyed a dark grayish brown colour (Pantone 7531C), creating 4 horizontal bands of decoration around the body. The interior has been partially plastered with fibrous dung as a sealant; this has dried to a light brown colour (Pantone 7530C) and is not very thick, being mostly present in the gaps between horizontal strands. The basket is complete, and has a weight in excess of 1000 grams. It has a height of 370 mm and a rim diameter of 500 mm, which is also the maximum diameter of the vessel. The grass stems that make up the bodywork have a typical width of 3 mm [RTS 2/8/2005].

Geographical reference

South Sudan

Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan

Cultural groups

Dinka Tuich

Person

Field collector Patti Langton

PRM source Patti Langton

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1979

Date collected

17 February 1979

Acquisition information

Purchased: 1979

Materials and processes

Material Grass Stem Plant, Material Animal Dung, Process Basketry, Process Twined Woven, Process Decorated, Process Dyed, Process Stained

Dimensions

Height: max 353 mm, Diameter: max 499 mm, Weight 1000 g

Object numbers

Accession number: 1979.20.45 Other numbers: Langton Collection 82

Research and responses

At the time this object was collected, the Bahr el Ghazal province was bordered by the Upper Nile Province to the east and Western Equatoria to the south; this area is now divided into the districts of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and parts of Warab and El Buheyrat. Dhangrial is located within Northern Bahr el Ghazal. For a map showing the distribution of Dinka Tuich groups, see J. Ryle, 1982, Warriors of the White Nile: The Dinka, p. 25.

The same type of grass stem is used to make baskets 1979.20.44 and 1979.20.46-48 (which are also made in the same style) and 1979.20.112; this material is a type of swamp grass known locally as riath or riet (Nebel 1979, Dinka-English Dictionary, p. 77 and p. 109 under 'basket'). According to the record for 1979.20.44, the darker coloured bands were made by staining the strands with mud. Winnowing trays 1979.20.71-72 are also made in the same style, and were sometimes used as matching covers for these vessels. The way in which the body was woven is much clearer from these trays, which show the vertical struts radiating out from the central 'star' at the base, and then dividing a number of times before reaching the rim [RTS 2/8/2005].

Search terms: Basketry, Food and Drink, Agriculture and Horticulture, Transport and Travel, Basket, Food Accessory, Carrying Device