Coiled Grass Tribally Used African shops Basket from Ethiopia

This Agelgel lunch basket was made by coiling grass and woven into the desired shape, most often round and then covered with leather. 4 U-shaped lanyards are used to securely fasten the lid onto its base. The leather on the lid has vertical ridges giving this basket a very different look from the others.

It was made to carry Injera, a staple food of most Ethiopians, to the field. Injera is made with an endemic grain, found only in Ethiopia, through a long process involving soaking, fermenting, and cooking over an open fire on a flat metal skillet. It is served with various spicy sauces but in the countryside where people are extremely poor, it is often eaten on its own.

Cracked leather, discolouration, frayed grass on the inside bottom and edges of lid, holes, and usage patina all combine to highlight this vintage Agelgel. Circa 1970.

This item is part of my private collection, acquired in early 2008 in the Highlands near Addis-Abeba, shops Ethiopia. Dimensions are: H 6 3/4" X D 10 1/2" - 17 X 26.75 cm