The Niger Bend

8 1/2″ tall x 7″ diam. at the bottom (21.6 x 17.8 cm) Very fine quality old, authentic, used wood vessel. The Bahima (Hima) people of Uganda used this for storage of and drinking milk. It took on its solid black patina from being close to the wood fire of the household in which it was used and from being handled often, every day, for approximately 50 years. The cover is very tightly and finely woven of millet straw wrapped with raffia. The background is white raffia colored with natural dyes with purple animal designs woven into it.