Beer Baskets - Ukhambas and Isichumos

Traditionally these baskets are used to store the home brew beer made by the Zulus. They are woven in such a way that when the weave gets wet it expands and becomes watertight.
Decorative beer baskets were made for special events and purposes e.g. Marriage, Harvest, Fertility and Birth Celebrations and as gifts for family or special friends.
Lobola - Bridal Price
This is paid in cows to the Bride's father. It is rude to ask for this so the Beer Basket indicated the number of cows to be paid. This price was determined by the importance of the Bride's family and that of the Bride's standing in the family.
The different patterns all have a meaning in Zulu culture and each basket has a small information tag detailing this and showing the name of the weaver.
Pattern Indicators -
Diamonds - Signify femininity(daughters or female calves)
Triangles - Masculinity ( Sons or Bull calves are a very important part of Zulu culture as they are a measure of wealth)
Zig-Zags Regiments of War. This depicts the silhouette of the battle shields in formation

The name Isichumo refers to the jug shape of this basket which has a lid fitting over the neck of the basket. For comparison, Beer Baskets (Ukhambas) have a hole left in the top and a lid that fits inside.


Please note that all our prices include postage UK mainland only - for overseas please e-mail with your full address and we will advise postage price.

Injabulo | Baskets |  Beer Baskets - Ukhambas and Isichumos

Beer Basket - Ukhamba - HE This sturdy basket has been woven in a very unusual colour of all tan weave with diamonds in dark ochre, rust, yellow and green. A beautiful example of use of colour and design. Woven by Gettina Hlabisa, this basket stands 28cms high with a circumference of 70 centimetres (11" x 27") Price includes carriage Uk mainland only OUT OF STOCK In stock Price: £36.00 Quantity:

Beer Basket-Ukhamba-NE A beautiful solid basket woven by Nomkhosi Nkosi in a diamond pattern using natural, tan, black and dark brown with touches of dark green. The basket stands 32cms high with a circumference of 84cms (12" x33") Price includes carriage UK mainland only OUT OF STOCK In stock Price: £46.00 Quantity:

Beer Basket - Ukhamba- VOE This lovely basket has been woven by Jaby Zulu in traditional natural, black and tan. A lovely well woven basket which stands 36cms high and has a circumference of 104cms (14" x 41") Price includes postage UK mainland only OUT OF STOCK In stock Price: £65.00 Quantity:

Beer Basket Ukhamba-VKE Beautiful Beer Basket woven by Nomkhosi Nkosi in Zig Zag design - donkey brown, dark khaki, natural, tan and black. Very very sturdily woven and a superb example. Height 13" (33cms), Circumference 36" (92cms) - all sizes are approximate OUT OF STOCK In stock Price: £65.00 Quantity:

Beer Basket - Ukhamba As2 Tall cylindrical basket woven in ochre, dark green and black zig zag design by Zama Hlabisa A rare example of this colouring. Height 12" (31 cms) - Circumference 23" (58cms) - all sizes are approximate OUT OF STOCK In stock Price: £35.00 Quantity:

Injabulo | Baskets |  Beer Baskets - Ukhambas and Isichumos