unknown Kamba
Primary

Sisal Kiondo (Handbag or Carrying Basket) Dyed with Natural Dyes

21st century

Object
11 x 15 in. (27.94 x 38.1 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• bags - Small, medium, or large-sized soft or rigid receptacles, intended for carrying personal articles and usually used as ladies' costume accessories. A bag is closed in on all sides except at the top, where also it generally can be closed, and usually having handles or straps for carrying on the shoulder or in the hand.
• baskets - Containers made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together.
• Kamba - Style and culture of the Kamba Bantu ethnic group of the Eastern Province of Kenya.
• natural dye - A class of dyes extracted from plant and animal sources. Natural dyes can be derived from leaves, branches, fruits, flowers, or roots of some plants, as distinguished from dyes manufactured from artificial chemical processes.
• sisal - Fiber derived from leaves of the species Agave sisalana. The fiber has been used since pre-Columbian times; the Aztecs are known to have made clothing from it. From the late 1930s sisal has been cultivated commercially in Central and South America as well as in Africa. It is a strong, stiff fiber with a pale cream color. Sisal is typically dyed bright colors with direct or acid dyes. Sisal is used for cordage, ropes, sacks, brushes, upholstery padding, rugs, matting, handbags, hats, dartboards, and in papermaking.

• Object Dimensions: 11 x 15 in. (27.94 x 38.1 cm)