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From Africa to Quai Branly: Histories of the Collections

Mesob covered basket

Amhara
Ethiopia, Amhara state, Gojjam region, Debre Marq’os
Early 20th century
Plant fibres, dyes
Paris, Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Inv. 71.1930.59.1.1-3

musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, photo Pauline Guyon

This basket with a raised sides and topped with a lid, is called a mesob by the Amhara people of Ethiopia. It serves as a table, and the Ethiopian dish of injera – based on bread, vegetables, and meat – is traditionally eaten at a mesob. It may also be used during certain ceremonies or for offering gifts of food.

This mesob is notable for its handles and sophisticated decorations. It was used at the court of the ras Haylu, an Ethiopian prince and governor of the province of Gojjam during the first half of the 20th century. In 1929, the prince gave a lavish reception for the French ethnologist Marcel Griaule, who was on his first mission to Africa. At the time, this region was called Abyssinia, and Griaule had gone to study the Abyssinian customs, religion, magic, technology, and arts. In his mission report, he mentioned his excellent relations with the prince and the gifts the latter had given him, one of which was this mesob.

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