The Aawambo have lived in harmony with their environment for centuries, using the abundant natural resources of the environment to produce household implements that are used on a daily basis.
Baskets for domestic use are woven by women from the unopened fan-like leaves of young Omulunga or makalani palms. The leaves are separated into thin strips and a coil, the foundation of the basket, is made from the spine of the palm leaf. The split-leaf fibres are wrapped around a central core and sewn together with an iron needle.
Some strips are boiled with dye to create intricate patterns to make the baskets more attractive. Dye is made from the bark, leaves and berries of a variety of trees, including the root of the Omuve or bird plum which gives it a reddish colour and the Omudhime or gwarrie, which produces a dark red colour.
Baskets are made for a wide variety of uses such as winnowing trays, flour baskets, to serve food in the traditional way and as storage containers. Large baskets that can be used as washing baskets are also woven.
Men weave the large omashisha baskets which are used for storing omahangu. They also weave mats, hats, fishing traps and beer strainers.
POTTERY
Uukwambi women were the traditional potters in Owambo and the community’s name means “those making pots” but women in other communities, where suitable clay is available, also make pots. The clay is obtained from the iishana after the summer rains and the pots are crafted in an underground pottery chamber (ozimbogo) which is close to 3 m deep and accessed via a ladder. The chamber is dug by the potters in firm soil and is then covered with a raised pole roof which is concealed with clay. Access is restricted to a narrow entrance to reduce draughts which ensures a constant temperature that prevents the pots from cracking while they are drying. An aloe is planted on the roof to ensure the successful manufacturing of the pots.
The pots are made by building up the outer wall piece by piece. A hoof was traditionally used to smooth the pot’s inner wall, while a piece of ox-rib is used for the outer wall. The finished pots are then left to dry in the ozimbogo for between two weeks and a month.
When the potters are ready to fire the pots, the pots are placed in a shallow pit covered with grass, cow dung and tree bark. The bark of the Omuthiya or camel thorn is especially sought after. Once the grass, bark and dung have been lit, the pots are covered with sand and left to be baked until the following day.
The shapes and sizes of the pots depend on their use. Big round pots with small mouths (ombiga) are used as water or beer containers. Shallow round pots with big openings (etiti) serve as containers for milk or meat dishes or are used as cooking pots. Okambundju, a rounded pot with a neck, is used for serving ontaku (a non-alcoholic drink made from omahangu) and omalovu (sorghum beer).
Men make traditional wooden cups (eholo), which are used to drink omagongo and omalovu, and buckets. The wood of oshiwowo (sand corkwood), which is light and easy to carve, is commonly used.
The large ongoma drums of the Ovakwanyama are made from the trunks of the omulunga or makalani palm, omugongo (marula) and omuguya (kiaat). With a height of up to 1.7 metres and a diameter of between 30 and 40 centimetres, the lower part of the drum is propped by a sturdy forked branch, while the upper part is held between the drummer’s legs.
Traditional baskets and pottery are still widely used in homesteads in Owambo and are also sold at open markets, as well as a number of craft shops.