Zimbabwean artisan vases; excellent art of Tonga

When an ordinary piece becomes an attractive element, which evokes wonderful sensations, it unquestionably deserves attention. This is exactly what has happened over the last few years with Zimbabwean artisan vases . The demand for these magnificent pieces is growing more and more.

Zimbabwe's artisanal vases as an artistic symbol

Traditional Zimbabwean woven vessels have played an ornamental and utilitarian role in Southeast Africa since ancient times. It was a matter of time before its unique beauty captivated other regions. Even outside its borders.

The facts demonstrate their popularity: exponentially rising, they enjoy more and more relevance in the European market. They are used to add style to any room where they are placed with incredible ease.

Knowledge originating from ancestral ethnic groups

The Tonga people belong to the multiform ethnic group of the Bantu, and are scattered across extensive areas of southern Africa. In Zimbabwe they are specifically grouped in the Binga region, thus forming an important artisan center .

The characteristic utensils made by the Tonga, especially the Binga vases made by hand from palm leaves, have been perfected over hundreds of years . Considering the final work as a badge of status among tribal families. This process has led to an improvement in the quality and details of all the export pieces we enjoy.

Activity based on Zimbabwean women

The basket weaving used in the artisanal vases of Zimbabwe is a practice that passes between generations of women of the same tribe , especially from mother to daughter, consisting of an emblematic ceremony of great importance.

In this way, traditions specific to each group are preserved and the role of women as the root of the family is distinguished, with a great influence on economic and cultural support.

A complex and satisfactory manufacturing method

To make the Binga vases, handmade with palm leaves, the native varieties of the region are used, mainly from the Hyphaene family. Ilala fabrics being the most used.

The work is only done by hand , without the help of machinery. Because of this, a single piece can be made in manufacturing periods ranging from a single day to a full month.

Depending on the organization, the creations can be shared between several artisans. Although, generally, only one person is dedicated to each piece: from choosing the material, to the design of the model, the dyeing and the braiding.

What makes them so special?

Each of the Zimbabwean artisan vases produced in the Binga district exhibits originality in every inch of surface.

Justified by the mystique that comprises the entire procedure: from the harvest of the palm strips, going through the classification and treatment of each fiber or natural dye that will be used in the fabric, added to the planting of reforestation to conserve natural resources.

The aforementioned converges in spectacular designs resulting from ancestral traditions and the love for a better future, turning the Binga vases handmade with palm leaves into true works of art that you can appreciate in our exhibition in Arrecife, Lanzarote .