Ukhamba baskets are specifically designed to hold low-alcohol, fermented sorghum or millet beer on ceremonial occasions. The offering of a communal basket of beer is customary when guests visit a Zulu household. Ukhambas are usually bulb-shaped, rigid, and watertight. This last feature is a combination of the tightness of the special coil weaving and the material used, ilala palm. Ilala palm fronds are collected, pulled into strips, naturally dyed and hung to dry to manufacture the fibers for basket weaving. Even if the palm fronds have a waxy coating that makes them ideal for the crafting of watertight baskets, the baskets require that their pores be sealed from the inside with a paste of coarsely-ground corn, prior to their first use. It can take up to one month to produce a medium-size ukhamba that will be unique in size, shape and pattern. Weaving is a female craft, usually passed from grandmother to granddaughter. Girls begin weaving at early age and are usually able to support themselves on the proceeds of their basket sales. The design of ukhamba baskets is so advanced, that when filled with beer and kept in the shade, there is a natural process of water condensation on their outside surfaces. As outside temperatures are extremely hot and water evaporates, the liquid inside remains cool. The basket in the picture is approximately 12.5 in. (31.7 cm.) in diameter, 18.75 in. (47.6 cm.) in height, with a 5 in. (12.7 cm.) mouth opening.
