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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


SOROR


CHICHO


DAMELA


DIBBE KOCHE


GORFA


BUQQEE HUDHAA

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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.

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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).

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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

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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). 

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