Lozi Makenge Root Lidded Basket Box (Katumbwa)

Lozi People, Early to Mid-20th Century, Lealui, Barotseland, Western Zambia

A superb small-sized lidded basket box, known as a katumbwa, woven from the roots of the Makenge bush (Cryptolepis oblongifolia). Its understated beauty lies in its elegant simplicity—adorned with a single black stripe encircling the lid and body. Traditionally, such boxes were used by Lozi hunters of the Barotse floodplain to store magical potions believed to render them invisible to wild game, imbuing the object with deep ritual and symbolic meaning.

The Lozi—also called Malozi, Barotse, or Aluyi—are a cluster of closely related Bantu-speaking groups inhabiting the Zambezi River floodplain in western Zambia. Basketry among the Lozi is both a vital household craft and an esteemed artistic tradition, woven into the social, economic, and spiritual fabric of daily life.

Makenge baskets are typically made in two tones—natural and black—arranged in minimalist yet striking patterns such as stripes, zigzags, or triangles. The process begins with men harvesting the long, fibrous roots of the Makenge bush, taking care to remove only part of the root system to ensure the plant regenerates. The roots are then peeled, boiled, dyed with natural pigments, and dried before being handwoven by women using a coiling and stitching technique that produces remarkable strength and rigidity.

Each basket could take several weeks or months to complete, reflecting the patience and skill of its maker. Beyond their utilitarian function, Makenge baskets also serve as heirlooms—traditionally gifted to brides and passed down from mother to daughter, symbolizing endurance, fertility, and continuity.

This katumbwa box, with its simple yet evocative form and enduring craftsmanship, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and deep cultural resonance of Lozi basketry.

Excellent condition. Age-related minimal wear. Faded black color. Gorgeous tanned patina. Size approx. 12,0cm x 9,5cm x 9,5cm.

Provenance: Finnish private collection

For a similar examples see:

The British Museum, Accession Number: Af1979,01.5193 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1979-01-5193)

 The Penn Museum, Accession Number: 2003-81-2A (https://www.penn.museum/collections/object/372918)