Borana milk jug used not only by Borana people but also Oromo, Somali and Gabra. This container is made from a gourd (pumpkins)  decorated with cowrie shells. Intricate basketry is present at the top,  but  the lid is missing. Inside this jug, there is an old  encrusted patina which may be from a combination of materials used in order to make the container waterproof. 

New wood milk bottle from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of a clear wood. It has it's typical lid, a new item but collected in 1974 in Rwanda.

Authentic old wood milk container from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of a clear wood. Shows signs of long use, the traditional repairs and reinforcements add a special touch to this nice gourd. Used to collect milk and store food.  Similar item at MEG: ETHAF 012230

This is a unique milk container, ghorfa, from the Borana tribe collected in situ during my stay with the Borana This waterproof container is made from woven natural fiber, decorated with cowries and inside there is a black encrusted patina. Borana milk jug used not only by Borana people but also by Oromo, Somali and Gabra. The Gorfa is used to storefresh or curdled milk and making butter.

This is a unique milk container, ghorfa, from the Borana tribe. The milk that these containers hold is a symbol of abundance. The container and the milk thus symbolize the ideal combination of abundance and fertility. The gorfa is made from woven vegetal fibres and  inside there is an black encrusted patina which makes this milk jug waterproof. It is used to store frsh or curdeled milk. 

A complete Turkana water or milk container with a  cover which can serve as a cup. It is in his original transport basket. A rare piece.

Made of soft wood, the bottom part is covered in hide. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with engravings. The ebur  is similar to the vessels called elmolo but bigger. One may be used to store buttetr the othert for milk. Similar object MEG: ETHAF 045640

A unique woodwn bowl on three legs and a round base, covered by a leather lid. It was collected in Southern Ethiopia, but its precise origin is not known. Any information is welcomed. Lovely warm dark rted/brown patina. An unique object.

Ethiopian calabsh container covered in cowrie shell. Exact origin and use not known, probably not milk but honey or water. An unique and beatiful collectible.

Made of soft wood and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with burnt markings. The Turkana excel in wood and leatherwork. The present vessel lost its leather bottom, eaten up by mouses which love the smell of milk!. Similar objects MEG: ETHAF 045534 - 36

Small wooden bowl with a leather base and straps. Nice patina. Even this one still smells butter; such small containers were also used for honey. Collected around 1975 in the Omo river area it could be Borana as well as Turkana or Pokot.

Made of a cow's horn and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. 

Some atribute similar vassels to the Somali tribe and call it Waijr, but it is also close to Borana woven containers.  A rare and beautiful piece for any collection of Ethiopian milk vessels. 

This Milk or butter container was collected in Southern Ethiopia, exact origin unknown (ani information is welcome).  Cut out of a dark and dense wood it is based on four legs and a round base. The cover is a leather lid. It ha a crack on tzhe top, see picture

Made of soft wood and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with burnt markings. The Turkana excel in wood and leatherwork. The beautiful and attractively decorated wood vessels are generally made out of Ekware wood (Gardenia volkensi) and Ekuruchanait (Delonix alata).Similar objects MEG: ETHAF 045534 - 36

Old Turkana wooden Milk jug with amazing long cup lid. Although this looks like a gourd, it is actually carved wood and was most likely used to carry and serve the traditional Milk blood which is a staple among this semi nomadic culture.  

This waterproof container, soroora, is made from animal skins and vegetable fibres. A wooden lid serves also as cup.Inside this jug, there is an old black encrusted patina which may be from a combination of materials used in order to make this milk jug waterproof. The vessel has still a mild smoky aroma of milk and butter.

Authentic old wood milk container from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of wood. Used to collect milk and store food.  

This wooden container has a top made of vegetable fibres. Several cracks have been traditionnly repaired The vessel has still a mild smoky aroma of milk and butter.

Small leather container to transport milk or water. Origin Rendille (Kenya) or  Dassanetch (Southern Ethiopia)

Old leather water or milk container used in Southern Etiopia by pastoralists, with a very rare form.

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 fibres used in their fabrication are woven very tightly and covered with animal skin. The lid has nice cowrie decoration.

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. 

This cylindrical container was carved with great skill from a single piece of wood. This Tutsi jug from Rwanda has metal-sheets repairs, which also could be looked upon as adornments. similar item: MEG ETHAF 012230

This Tutsi cylindrical milk container was carved  from a single piece of wood. Wooden containers were used to collect milk, contain honey or transport food. This Tutsi pot has metal repairs.

This Tutsi cylindrical milk container was carved  from a single piece of wood. Wooden containers were used to collect milk, contain honey or transport food. This Tutsi pot has metal repairs. This example has a beautiful patina and a slim long form

This is a unique composite milk container from the Borana or affiéiated tribes in the Omo river area of Southern Ethiopia. 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.

This Maasai gourd from East Africa is made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The gourd is decorated with colored glass beads. The detachable cover is of calabash and leather. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The jug has beutiful warm and shiny patina. A gorgeous piece, highly decorative.

A lMaasai gourd made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The leather strap is decorated with coloured beads. The detachable cover is in leather. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The gourd has dark brown/redish patina and some traditional repairs.