A.

Functions of the following basketry woven items;

1. Storage:
Grains: Woven baskets or mats are commonly used to store grains such as maize, millet, sorghum,
and beans. The breathable nature of these woven items helps maintain air circulation, preventing the
grains from becoming damp or infested with pests, thereby preserving their quality for long-term use.
Herbs & Medicinal Plants: The Luo people rely on medicinal plants for healing. Woven baskets are
used to store and protect herbs, roots, and other medicinal materials, ensuring they remain dry and are
kept away from moisture that could cause rot.
Fish: Woven baskets are essential for storing freshly caught fish. These baskets allow air to circulate,
keeping the fish fresh and preventing them from spoiling quickly, especially when transporting them
from the lake to the homestead.
Household Items: Woven items like baskets are used to store household tools, clothes, firewood, and
other materials, helping keep the homestead organized.
2. Food Processing:
Drying Food: Reed mats are used to lay out food for drying, especially for crops like cassava, sweet
potatoes, or fish. These mats allow air to circulate around the food, facilitating the drying process,
which is vital for preserving food for long periods.
Threshing Grains: Woven mats are used during the threshing of crops like maize. The grains are
placed on these mats, and the process of separating kernels from the cob takes place. The mats
provide a clean, flat surface for this task.
Cooling and Handling: Reed mats are often spread on the ground to cool or spread processed food,
such as roasted maize or ground flour, before it is stored or eaten.
3. Eating:
Meal Preparation: Woven mats provide a clean surface for placing food during communal meals.
They are often spread on the ground, and the family or community sits around to share a meal. In
traditional settings, the mats provide an important cultural and practical role during communal eating.
Serving Food: Sometimes, woven baskets or mats are used to serve food such as fruits or snacks.
Their portability makes them ideal for serving food in outdoor settings or during cultural ceremonies.
4. Fishing:
Fishing Traps: In some cases, woven items like baskets or mats are used in the construction of fishing
traps. These traps are used to catch fish either by being placed in water or by attracting fish to swim
into them.
Drying Fish: After fish are caught, they are often laid out on woven reed mats to dry under the sun.
This preserves the fish for longer periods, especially during the dry season when there may be an
abundance of catch.
5. General Homestead Use:
Sleeping Mats: Reed mats are often used as sleeping surfaces in traditional Luo homes. They provide
comfort and insulation from the ground, making them a practical item in daily life.
Floor Mats: Reed mats are placed on the floors of homesteads to help maintain cleanliness and
comfort. They serve as a protective layer and can make the home feel more inviting.
Shelter: Reed mats are sometimes used to construct temporary walls or roofs for huts or livestock
pens. The flexibility and durability of the material make it useful for building shelters or protecting
items from the elements.
[Link] materials and tools
Weaving Materials:
1. Reeds:
Reeds are one of the primary materials used in weaving in the Luo community. These plants are
harvested from wetlands, rivers, and lakes, especially around the shores of Lake Victoria. Reeds are
flexible and durable, making them ideal for creating mats, baskets, and fishing traps.
They are carefully selected, cut, and sometimes dried to enhance their strength and flexibility before
being used for weaving.
2. Grass:
Various types of grass are also used for weaving, particularly for making mats and baskets. Grasses
are abundant and easy to harvest in the region. Some specific varieties of grass are preferred due to
their strength and pliability when woven.
3. Papyrus:
Papyrus, a type of aquatic plant found in wetland areas, is another material used for weaving,
especially in making larger items like mats and baskets. Papyrus is strong yet light, making it perfect
for use in items meant for storage and carrying.
4. Palm Leaves:
In some cases, palm leaves are woven into smaller baskets, mats, or other household items. These are
especially used in parts of the community where palm trees are abundant.
5. Strips of Bark (Tree Bark):
The Luo community sometimes uses strips of bark from trees like the moringa tree to make strong,
durable woven items. These strips are carefully extracted, softened, and then used in weaving items
like ropes, bags, and other storage tools.
6. Twine or Thread:
Twine made from plant fibers (like cotton or sisal) may also be used to bind woven materials together,
especially in the construction of baskets or other objects requiring stronger or more durable stitching.
Weaving Tools:
1. Knife (Machete or Cutlass):
A knife is an essential tool in the weaving process, used for cutting reeds, grasses, or other plant
materials into the desired lengths. The knife is also used to strip the bark from trees when needed for
weaving.
2. Needle:
In some cases, a needle (often made from bone, wood, or metal) is used to stitch or sew together
woven items, especially for creating more complex or detailed designs.
3. Weaving Frame:
A simple frame or loom can sometimes be used to create larger woven pieces, such as mats or rugs.
This frame provides a stable structure, which helps in maintaining the tension and alignment of the
materials as they are woven together.
4. Razor Blade or Scraping Tool:
A razor blade or scraping tool is sometimes used to peel or smoothen the reeds or plant materials
before weaving. This helps to ensure that the weaving materials are flexible and smooth, making them
easier to work with.
5. Water (for Softening Materials):
Water is used to soften and prepare reeds and other materials for weaving. Soaking them in water
makes the plant fibers more flexible and easier to manipulate during the weaving process. In some
cases, water may also be used to clean the materials before weaving.
6. Hands (Primary Tool):
Despite the use of tools, the most important tool in the weaving process is the weaver's hands.
Weaving is a highly skilled, manual process that requires dexterity and experience. The weaver uses
their hands to twist, knot, and interlace the materials to form intricate and strong woven items.
[Link] of weaving materials
1. Harvesting the Materials
Reeds: Reeds are usually harvested from wetland areas, riverbanks, or lakesides. They are typically
cut during the dry season when they are less likely to be waterlogged, which helps in the weaving
process.
Grasses: Different varieties of grasses are collected from grasslands or marshy areas. These grasses
should be strong, flexible, and long enough to be used in weaving.
Papyrus: Papyrus plants, which grow in marshes, are harvested when the stalks are long and mature.
They are cut into manageable lengths for weaving.
Bark (Tree Bark): If tree bark (like from the moringa or fig tree) is used, it’s carefully stripped off the
tree. The best time for bark harvesting is when it is mature but not overly old and tough.
2. Stripping and Cutting the Materials
Reeds: Once harvested, the reeds are cut into the required lengths. Typically, these are of uniform size
to ensure an even weave. The ends may be trimmed to remove rough or unusable parts.
Grasses: The grass stems are cut to appropriate lengths. They are often cleaned and sometimes
separated into individual strands to ensure uniformity when woven.
Papyrus: The papyrus stalks are split lengthwise into thin strips. These strips should be of an
appropriate width for weaving, typically around half an inch or so.
Bark: When harvesting bark, the outer rough layer is often peeled away, leaving only the softer inner
layer for weaving. This is then cut into strips of uniform width.
3. Soaking the Materials
Water Softening: Most natural fibers, including reeds, grasses, papyrus, and bark, need to be softened
to make them pliable and flexible for weaving. Soaking them in water for several hours or overnight
makes them more manageable and prevents them from breaking during the weaving process.
Optional Boiling for Bark: Tree bark strips may be boiled or steamed in water to further soften them.
This ensures that the fibers are supple and easy to bend and twist.
4. Cleaning and Preparing the Materials
Removing Impurities: Once the materials are softened, they are cleaned to remove dirt, sand, leaves,
or other debris that may have attached during harvesting. This is done by wiping or shaking the
materials to ensure they are clean.
Straightening and Sorting: After cleaning, the reeds, grasses, and bark are straightened as much as
possible. Grasses and reeds may be bent or twisted, so the fibers are straightened by hand or by
soaking and laying them flat. Sorting them by size or quality also helps ensure that only the strongest
materials are used in critical parts of the weaving.
5. Drying the Materials
After soaking, the materials are typically dried, either in the sun or in a shaded, dry area. Drying
prevents the fibers from retaining excess moisture, which could cause mold or make the materials too
brittle to work with.
Drying Process: The drying time depends on the climate, but usually, a few hours of direct sunlight
are enough for reeds and grasses. However, drying in the shade might take longer and is necessary to
maintain their pliability.
6. Cutting to Desired Size
Reeds, Grasses, and Papyrus: Once dried, the materials are trimmed or cut into smaller, uniform strips
that are suitable for the project. Depending on the item being woven, the strips might need to be thin
for finer work (like intricate baskets or mats) or thicker for sturdier items like fishing traps or storage
baskets.
Bark Strips: Bark strips are similarly cut to the desired size and width. Depending on the weaving
project, the width of the strips might vary, as finer projects require thinner strips, while larger items
can handle thicker strips.
7. Bundling the Materials
After cutting and preparing the materials, they are often bundled together for easy handling during the
weaving process. Bundling helps to keep the materials organized and prevents them from tangling.
Organizing by Type and Size: The bundles are often sorted by type (reed, grass, papyrus) and size to
facilitate easier weaving and ensure consistency.
8. Optional Dyeing or Conditioning
Natural Dyeing: While natural colors are commonly used, sometimes the materials may be dyed for
aesthetic reasons or to create patterns. Natural dyes from plants, fruits, or minerals are used to color
the reeds or grasses before they are woven.
Conditioning: Sometimes, materials may be conditioned with natural oils to increase their flexibility
and shine, making them more aesthetically pleasing and durable.
9. Pre-Weaving Preparation
Before beginning the actual weaving process, the materials are often arranged and set up on a weaving
frame (if used) or prepared for hand weaving. The weaver may also plan the design or pattern,
especially if the item requires intricate work.
Loom or Frame Setup: If using a loom or frame, the threads or materials are attached to the frame and
adjusted to the proper tension, ensuring the weaving can proceed smoothly.
[Link] in weaving
1. Basket Weaving (Ogamo/Luo Baskets)
Materials: Papyrus reeds, palm leaves, or sisal.
Technique: Stripping, soaking, and intertwining fibers to create sturdy baskets used for carrying
grains, fish, and household items.
Styles: Coil weaving and twining techniques are common.
2. Mat Weaving (Odieke/Mat Odiek)
Materials: Papyrus reeds (common around Lake Victoria).
Technique: Reeds are cut, dried, softened, and woven tightly together.
Use: Sleeping mats, floor coverings, and wall decorations.
3. Fish Trap Weaving (Okano)
Materials: Bamboo or flexible reeds.
Technique: Woven into a cone-shaped structure with an inward-pointing funnel to trap fish.
Use: Traditional fishing in rivers and Lake Victoria.
4. Sisal Rope Weaving (Wino)
Materials: Sisal fibers.
Technique: Fibers are twisted and braided into ropes used for tying livestock, making nets, and other
household uses.
5. Thatch Weaving for Roofing (Dero)
Materials: Dried grass or reeds.
Technique: Bundling and layering grass in a specific pattern to create waterproof roofs for traditional
Luo huts.

THE KAMBA COMMUNITY

[Link] of the woven items
1. Household and Domestic Use
Baskets (Ciondo/Ikoti): Used for carrying and storing food, grains, and household items. Some are
used as shopping bags.
Sleeping Mats (Mukeo/Nthia): Woven from reeds or palm leaves, used as bedding or floor coverings.
Sieves (Kithungi): Made from woven fibers to filter grains or flour.
2. Economic and Commercial Uses
Sisal Bags and Baskets: Sold in markets as a source of income, both locally and internationally.
Weaving for Trade: Women in the Kamba community engage in weaving as a form of self-
employment, making items for sale.
3. Cultural and Ceremonial Purposes
Wedding Gifts: Woven baskets and mats are often given as part of dowry and wedding gifts.
Rituals and Traditional Events: Mats and baskets are used in ceremonies such as initiation rites and
funerals.
4. Agricultural and Storage Functions
Granaries (Ngoloko): Woven structures used for storing grains like millet and maize.
Winnowing Trays (Kyungu): Used to separate chaff from grains.
5. Fishing and Hunting
Fish Traps (Nzau/Nzoka): Woven baskets used to trap fish in rivers.
Animal Traps: Some woven structures are designed to catch small animals.
6. Roofing and Construction
Thatch Weaving (Kilui/Kyulu): Used to cover roofs of traditional houses.

[Link] materials and tools

1. Harvesting the Materials
Grasses:
Types Used: The Kamba community uses various grasses, such as miro (a local grass) and sisal (a
plant with long, fibrous leaves), which are harvested in their mature state.
Timing: Grasses are typically harvested during the dry season when they are not waterlogged, making
them easier to work with. This is important as fresh, wet grasses can be tough to manage and weave.
Method: The long stems of grass are cut by hand, often using a machete or sickle. Care is taken to
ensure that only the best parts of the grass are harvested.
Palm Leaves:
Types Used: Palm trees, including those with large fan-shaped leaves, are commonly used in Kamba
weaving.
Method: The leaves are harvested by cutting them from the tree, and the outer hard layers are
removed to expose the more flexible inner parts of the leaves.
Timing: Palm leaves are usually harvested during the dry season to prevent them from being too moist
and fragile.
Sisal:
Source: Sisal is harvested from the sisal plant, which is a succulent with long, tough leaves.
Method: The leaves of the sisal plant are stripped of their outer layers, exposing the long, strong fibers
that are used for weaving.
Timing: Sisal fibers are harvested when the plant is mature, typically after the plant has flowered and
the leaves are strong.
Tree Bark:
Types Used: The Kamba people may use tree bark from trees like the moringa or fig tree.
Method: The outer bark is carefully stripped from the tree. The bark is peeled into thin strips for
weaving.
Timing: Bark is harvested during the rainy season when the trees have ample moisture, making it
easier to strip the bark.
2. Cleaning and Preparing the Materials
Cleaning:
After harvesting, the materials (grasses, palm leaves, sisal, and bark) are thoroughly cleaned to
remove any dirt, sand, or unwanted plant matter.
Grasses and palm leaves are shaken, and any coarse or damaged parts are removed before use.
Sorting:
The materials are sorted based on their quality and size. The strongest, most flexible fibers are kept
for weaving, while any damaged or weak fibers are discarded or used for less intricate items.
In some cases, different types of grasses or fibers are mixed together to create a more uniform and
durable weave.
Cutting:
The fibers are cut into manageable lengths for easier handling during the weaving process. This can
involve cutting long grasses or sisal leaves into smaller strips or trimming bark into appropriate
lengths for weaving.
3. Softening the Materials
Soaking:
Many of the raw materials, especially sisal fibers, grasses, and palm leaves, are soaked in water to
soften them before weaving.
The soaking process makes the materials more pliable and prevents them from breaking during
weaving.
Soaking can be done in large containers or water sources such as rivers or ponds. Typically, the
materials are left to soak for several hours or overnight, depending on the toughness of the material.
Boiling:
In some cases, materials such as tree bark and sisal fibers are boiled to further soften them. This helps
to remove any remaining tough outer layers of the material and makes it easier to manipulate during
the weaving process.
4. Drying the Materials
Sun Drying:
After soaking or boiling, the materials are spread out in the sun to dry. Drying helps prevent mold and
mildew, especially if the materials will be stored for future use.
Grasses, palm leaves, and sisal fibers are spread out on clean, flat surfaces, such as mats or drying
racks, to allow the air to circulate and dry them evenly.
Drying is usually done in a shaded area or in the open, depending on the climate and the material.
Air Drying:
For materials like bark, they may also be air-dried, particularly if they are being prepared for long-
term storage. This ensures that the fibers retain their flexibility without becoming too brittle.
5. Straightening the Fibers
Straightening by Hand:
After drying, some fibers, especially sisal and palm leaves, may need to be straightened to ensure an
even weave.
The Kamba weavers typically do this by gently pulling and stretching the fibers by hand. This step is
crucial to ensure that the weaving materials are not tangled or twisted, which could affect the quality
of the finished item.
6. Dyeing (Optional)
Natural Dyes:
In some cases, the Kamba people dye their weaving materials to create more colorful or patterned
items. Natural dyes are often derived from plants, roots, or other organic sources.
For example, tree barks, fruits, or roots may be used to create dyes. The materials are soaked in the
dye solution, and the fibers absorb the color.
Color Choices:
The choice of color may depend on the intended use of the woven item or cultural significance.
Certain colors or patterns may also have specific meanings tied to community traditions, ceremonies,
or events.
7. Bundling the Materials
After the fibers are cleaned, softened, dried, and straightened, they are bundled together for easy
handling. This helps keep the materials organized and prevents them from becoming tangled.
The bundles are typically tied with a piece of string or yarn, ensuring that they remain in one place
until the weaver is ready to start the weaving process.
[Link] of weaving materials
1. Harvesting the Materials
Grasses:
Types Used: The Kamba community uses various grasses, such as miro (a local grass) and sisal (a
plant with long, fibrous leaves), which are harvested in their mature state.
Timing: Grasses are typically harvested during the dry season when they are not waterlogged, making
them easier to work with. This is important as fresh, wet grasses can be tough to manage and weave.
Method: The long stems of grass are cut by hand, often using a machete or sickle. Care is taken to
ensure that only the best parts of the grass are harvested.
Palm Leaves:
Types Used: Palm trees, including those with large fan-shaped leaves, are commonly used in Kamba
weaving.
Method: The leaves are harvested by cutting them from the tree, and the outer hard layers are
removed to expose the more flexible inner parts of the leaves.
Timing: Palm leaves are usually harvested during the dry season to prevent them from being too moist
and fragile.
Sisal:
: Sisal is harvested from the sisal plant, which is a succulent with long, tough leaves.
Method: The leaves of the sisal plant are stripped of their outer layers, exposing the long, strong fibers
that are used for weaving.
Timing: Sisal fibers are harvested when the plant is mature, typically after the plant has flowered and
the leaves are strong.
Tree Bark:
Types Used: The Kamba people may use tree bark from trees like the moringa or fig tree.
Method: The outer bark is carefully stripped from the tree. The bark is peeled into thin strips for
weaving.
Timing: Bark is harvested during the rainy season when the trees have ample moisture, making it
easier to strip the bark.
2. Cleaning and Preparing the Materials
Cleaning:
After harvesting, the materials (grasses, palm leaves, sisal, and bark) are thoroughly cleaned to
remove any dirt, sand, or unwanted plant matter.
Grasses and palm leaves are shaken, and any coarse or damaged parts are removed before use.
Sorting:
The materials are sorted based on their quality and size. The strongest, most flexible fibers are kept
for weaving, while any damaged or weak fibers are discarded or used for less intricate items.
In some cases, different types of grasses or fibers are mixed together to create a more uniform and
durable weave.
Cutting:
The fibers are cut into manageable lengths for easier handling during the weaving process. This can
involve cutting long grasses or sisal leaves into smaller strips or trimming bark into appropriate
lengths for weaving.
3. Softening the Materials
Soaking:
Many of the raw materials, especially sisal fibers, grasses, and palm leaves, are soaked in water to
soften them before weaving.
The soaking process makes the materials more pliable and prevents them from breaking during
weaving.
Soaking can be done in large containers or water sources such as rivers or ponds. Typically, the
materials are left to soak for several hours or overnight, depending on the toughness of the material.
Boiling:
In some cases, materials such as tree bark and sisal fibers are boiled to further soften them. This helps
to remove any remaining tough outer layers of the material and makes it easier to manipulate during
the weaving process.
4. Drying the Materials
Sun Drying:
After soaking or boiling, the materials are spread out in the sun to dry. Drying helps prevent mold and
mildew, especially if the materials will be stored for future use.
Grasses, palm leaves, and sisal fibers are spread out on clean, flat surfaces, such as mats or drying
racks, to allow the air to circulate and dry them evenly.
Drying is usually done in a shaded area or in the open, depending on the climate and the material.
Air Drying:
For materials like bark, they may also be air-dried, particularly if they are being prepared for long-
term storage. This ensures that the fibers retain their flexibility without becoming too brittle.
5. Straightening the Fibers
Straightening by Hand:
After drying, some fibers, especially sisal and palm leaves, may need to be straightened to ensure an
even weave.
The Kamba weavers typically do this by gently pulling and stretching the fibers by hand. This step is
crucial to ensure that the weaving materials are not tangled or twisted, which could affect the quality
of the finished item.
6. Dyeing (Optional)
Natural Dyes:
In some cases, the Kamba people dye their weaving materials to create more colorful or patterned
items. Natural dyes are often derived from plants, roots, or other organic sources.
For example, tree barks, fruits, or roots may be used to create dyes. The materials are soaked in the
dye solution, and the fibers absorb the color.
Color Choices:
The choice of color may depend on the intended use of the woven item or cultural significance.
Certain colors or patterns may also have specific meanings tied to community traditions, ceremonies,
or events.
7. Bundling the Materials
After the fibers are cleaned, softened, dried, and straightened, they are bundled together for easy
handling. This helps keep the materials organized and prevents them from becoming tangled.
The bundles are typically tied with a piece of string or yarn, ensuring that they remain in one place
until the weaver is ready to start the weaving process.
[Link] techiques
1. Over-and-Under Weaving (Plain Weaving)

Description: This is one of the most basic and common weaving techniques used in the Kamba
community, especially for creating mats, baskets, and storage containers.
How it's done: In this technique, strands of weaving material (usually grass or palm leaves) are placed
horizontally (warp) and woven over and under one another with other strands (weft). This creates a
strong, simple weave.
Applications: It is typically used for making mats, small baskets, and floor coverings. The technique
is simple but effective, providing both flexibility and strength.
2. Twining
Description: Twining involves twisting two or more strands of material together as they are woven
into a specific pattern. It is used for making stronger and more durable woven items.
How it's done: The weaver twists two or more fibers together as they are passed over and under each
other. The strands are then interwoven to create a solid structure. The twining method results in a
tighter, stronger weave.
Applications: This technique is often used for making baskets, rope, and large mats, as well as items
that need extra strength and support.

3. Plaiting (Braid Weaving)

Description: Plaiting, or braiding, is a technique where three or more strands of material are
interwoven into a braid. This technique is often used for making finer, more intricate designs.

How it's done: The materials (e.g., palm leaves, grasses, or sisal) are divided into equal parts, and
each part is twisted or braided together in a pattern similar to braiding hair. This results in a compact
and flexible structure.

Applications: Baskets, ropes, hats, and decorative items are commonly made using this technique. It’s
also used for making handles for

[Link] in basketry
In the Kamba community, basketry is an important cultural practice that is passed down through
generations. The techniques used in Kamba basket weaving involve a combination of intricate
methods and local materials. Here are some key techniques:

1. Material Preparation: The Kamba use a variety of plant materials for basket weaving, including
bamboo, palm leaves, sisal, and local grasses. The materials are carefully harvested, peeled, and
softened through soaking or steaming to make them pliable.

2. Coiling Technique: One of the main techniques is the coiling method, where materials are wound in
a spiral, layer by layer, to form a basket. This technique is commonly used to create both functional
and decorative items. The coiled strands are stitched together with a needle or thread made from plant
fibers.

3. Weaving: The Kamba also use a weaving technique, where the materials are interlaced in an over-
and-under pattern to form a tight weave. This is often seen in the creation of flat baskets or mats.

4. Plaiting: For smaller, intricate items, plaiting (braiding) of fibers is a common technique. The
Kamba people use this for making ropes, straps, and baskets.
5. Coloring and Decoration: Natural dyes from plants are often used to add color to the baskets.
Designs are often symbolic, and the colors and patterns are a representation of the weaver’s skill and
the cultural significance of the item.

6. Shaping and Molding: After weaving, the basket is often shaped by hand or through the use of
molds to create specific forms, such as bowls, trays, or traditional Kamba hats.