Taming the fluids
The National Museums of Kenya leads this project in partnership with Borana University, members of the Gabra and Borana communities in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, and the University of Cambridge. The funding is provided through the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) of the British Museum.
Gabra and Borana Water and Milk Containers
The containers are crafted from materials readily available in pastoral landscapes. The primary fibers for sewing various containers are sourced from the roots of shrubs (Okole and ergemsa – Asparagus africanus) and the bark of tree branches (qarari – Sterculia africana). Dye is extracted from tree bark. Several containers are made using wood carving, animal skin sewing, calabash, and plant fiber weaving. Sometimes, multiple materials are combined, depending on the container’s purpose and identity. In addition to materials from the pastoral environment, the Gabra also make specific containers for personal items from white cotton material. These are used for transporting goods across the landscapes. The cloth containers have acquired cultural value status and are specific for particular functions.
Specific containers are crafted by specific genders, though some can be made by anyone. Certain containers require the expertise of both men and women. Men often handle the initial carving after which, they pass the work to women for finishing touches. However, due to changes in land use and climate, the materials for these containers are becoming increasingly scarce. Community members often travel long distances, sometimes up to 50 kilometers, to gather materials. This scarcity is leading to reduced production, loss of material knowledge, and difficulty in performing associated rituals.
Featured Water and Milk Containers
Material Sourcing
Sourcing of logs
Wooden containers such as Damela and dibbe among others, are made from logs of specific hardwood such as sukeella (Delonix elata). The artisans, normally men search the landscapes for these trees and cut them depending on the container they intend to make. Wastage is usually minimal as the carvers always have a mental template of what they are looking for and where it can be found on the tree.
Sourcing of fibre
Three important fibres are used for stitching, binding and also weaving of the gabra and Borana containers. The most important are ergemsa (Asparagus africanus), okole (another Asparagus species) and qarari (Sterculia africana).
Sourcing of dye materials
Dye is made from by both the Borana and the Gabra from particular types of trees. In some cases, barks from two types of trees are used while in other cases, only one tree is used. The barks are cut into small pieces and boiled in salted water. The mixture is left to cool overnight before using the following day. These dyes are mostly used to colour gourds and leather containers
Container smoking
The gabra and Borana containers are continuously smoked in order to seal them and to provide a particular aroma to the milk. After completing the making of the container, sour milk is poured in it and then smoked using biressa tree (Terminalia brownie) or bisiqa (Terminalia orbicularis).
