Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Julien Gauthier

This is a authentic traditional Extremly Rare Old handmade Ethiopian Borana "Gorfa" woven milk Container.
The size are 27 cm high.

This is one of several types of basketry milk containers made and used by the Borana, a pastoral people who raise cattle in southern Ethiopia. The vegetal fibers used in their fabrication are woven very tightly, they are light and extremely durable, and serve as the ideal container for liquids. One of the key characteristics of the gorfa is the application of cowries, small white shells that enhance the beauty of the container. Among the Borana, all women are expected to learn to make woven milk containers like the gorfa. Milk containers themselves are vital objects in a culture where raising cattle is of central importance. The milk that these containers hold is a symbol of abundance. The container's symbolic meaning stems from its structure--in Borana society, weaving is associated with fertility. The container and the milk thus symbolize the ideal combination of abundance and fertility, two fundamental requirements for the reproduction and prosperity of the family and community. In this society women produce woven containers and men carve wood containers. Both types of containers may serve the same utilitarian function but they are used in different social settings. There also are containers that have both wood and basketry components and therefore require the work of both a man and a woman, usually a husband and wife or at least members of the family living in the same household. Such containers reflect a fundamental element of Borana culture, a healthy interdependence between the sexes manifest in the complementary roles men and women perform in their families and communities.

Part of the Oromo tribe – Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group – the Borana are estimated to total 500,000, but because many live in remote areas it is hard to know exactly how many exist. Borana speak Oromifa. They are traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists, who depend exclusively on their livestock for subsistence: Borana make their living by growing and selling cattle and crops, including teff and chatt (a tobacco-like drug). They make most of their domestic goods from wood or skin.
The women are independent and equal to men even with building and owning houses. A wife decides who will enter it, and if her husband comes back and finds another man’s spear stuck in the ground outside her house, he cannot go in.
There are only about 200 Christians among the 150,000 Borana in Ethiopia. Islam has only come to the Borana in the last 100 years. Many Borana have adopted a veneer of Islam over a powerful traditional monotheistic religion. They frequently pray to Waq, the benign god whom they believe "sends the rain and all good things.” The main feature of the Borana religion is not just the powerful veneration accorded to their chief religious leaders, but to the very real spiritual power of the Ayana, or spirits, which possess people and things. 

Excellent condition

Extremely Rare Borana Gorfa Woven Milk Container - Ethiopia.

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Closing date

Sunday

29 April

Saturday

Tuesday

Friday

Monday

tomorrow

3 May

2 May

1 May

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

Germany

The Netherlands

Spain

Austria

Italy

Portugal

United States

Switzerland

Luxembourg

Malta

Romania

Türkiye

Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

L (over 80 cm)

XS (under 10 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Sculpture

Tribal currency

Painting

Dance mask

Mask

Tribal textiles and clothing

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Fetish figure

Tribal weaponry and shields

Book

Textile

Dagger

Shield

Bead

Print

Statue

Stool

Tribal mask

Comb

Neck rest

Decorative ornament

Country of origin

DR Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire

Congo

Ghana

Burkina Faso

Gabon

Cameroon

Togo

Benin

Africa

Tanzania

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola

Ethiopia

Niger

South Africa

Kenya

Haiti

Chad

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Glass

Patinated bronze

Iron (wrought)

Leather

Brass

Copper

Metal

Steel

Bone

Iron

Aluminium

Iron (cast/wrought)

Textiles

Cotton

Stone

Shell

Bakelite

Silver

Paper

Wicker

Clay

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Fair condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Good

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

As new - unused

Fair

Good condition, see description

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Needs restoration

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Very good

Excellent

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Very good condition, see description

Overall in good condition

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Fair condition, see description

As new

Overall in good condition with traces of ageing and usage

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Period

Late 20th century

2000-2010

Mid 20th century

Early 20th century

1930-1940

1940-1950

1950-1960

2020+

Late 19th century

1920-1930

1970-1980

1990-2000

1850-1900

1960-1970

1980-1990

2010-2020

1910-1920

1900-1910

1800-1850

Mid 19th century

Early 18th century

20th century

1500-1550

21st century

Early 17th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Pop Culture

Portrait

Cityscape

Summer scene

Male figures

Colonial history

Photography

Religion

Travels

Style

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Extremely Rare Borana Gorfa Woven Milk Container - Ethiopia.

Popular in African & Tribal Art

1409 objects

Related collections