Authentic Borana Utilitarian Artifacts
The GareroGorfa and Chicho
Woven Milk Containers!

Fertility and abundance from Mother to Daughter.
Sense the history of a Culture that is diminishing.
 
In my travels to Eastern Africa I discovered many unique and unusual tribal utility crafts that are normally only traded amongst other tribes and rarely are ever brought to the market centers to sell.

One is the Borana milk container that is normally packed on camels back when the tribe moves as nomadic do when the weather dictates the time.
They are made from Savanna grass burnt blood, wire and Kalla twine.
 
The Borana speak an Oromo language officially called Borana-Arsi-Guji, after the three major peoples who speak mutually intelligible forms of Oromo. This language is in the Eastern Cushitic family of the Afro-Asiatic languages. In Kenya it is usually called Borana
 
They symbolizes fertility and abundance and is made by the Borana Women of the Tribe. Making these woven sealed vessels has been a ritual for generations earning womanhood. It is a cultural tradition that is quickly disappearing and the skills lost.

What surprises me is with all the poverty in Africa and with such talent with those who weave the various ritual artifacts and only traded among their country's merchants and traders is that their own people keep them in this poverty and despair.

Africans of the bush loose their self worth with all the charity assistance not knowing how to adapt to the travesty of cultural change... It seems to me if those could get paid for what their skills is worth based upon the values in the Western World Market that it would have two effects.

1. They would earn enough money with just one item to support themselves and family for months on months. (Adapt with loss of lifestyle.)
 
2. Their self respect would be restored and their self worth would return and rightfully so. (Not having to look to charity for the support of their families.)
 
For these reasons is why I am building desire and real value of the Milk Containers so I can return to their villages and pay them their true worth.
 
 Help restore their self-respect but most of all see them feed their children when drought and food is sparse and even have enough to give their children an education.

A real good example is the Woven Milk Containers made by the Women of the Borana / Oromo People of Eastern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia. Their wonderful manipulation of indigenous materials is virtually a craft that is not known and their form unlike what the western world of basketry have experienced.

Presently not made for export or for tourism they are acquired either by those like myself who travels to regions, or by their country’s merchants who trade for them then take them to their stores. The merchant does not though go out of their way for the Borana or People. They are not organized so they can reproduce them in sufficient quantities to make it worth the merchant’s time.

Once these values have been established through exposure and compliment then I can return to the villages with a smile knowing that I can spread the word that their talents have been recognized with respect and admiration.

The women can use this disappearing talent other than the vessels like interior delights presented by clients.

I need help gaining exposure and prestige of the uniqueness of such a craft. Can you help? What suggestions do you have please? You can contact me at hotline@tscnet.com I have acquired after many months a small collection to help promote the exposure. You can reach me by phone at
360-710-3274
 
By, M. Jeffrey Wershow

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Anne Haenni and Rick Pezzner
Owner, Diversity News