This wooden jug was made by the Borana, a pastoralist community in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, known for their skill in carving functional vessels from wood. Jugs of this kind were traditionally used for storing and serving liquids such as milk, water, or honey wine. The Borana, like many Oromo-speaking groups, place a strong cultural emphasis on cattle and milk, and carved wooden containers played a vital role in both daily sustenance and social rituals.
 
The form of the jug is practical yet refined: a tall, rounded body that could hold a generous volume, with handles on either side to aid carrying and pouring. Around the rim, delicate incised decoration adds a subtle layer of artistry, reflecting the Borana belief that beauty and function should be intertwined even in everyday objects. The smooth, dark patina is the result of long use and careful handling, giving the vessel both durability and aesthetic presence.
 
Borana jugs are more than utilitarian objects; they are tied to traditions of hospitality, community, and continuity. Serving milk or other liquids in such vessels was an expression of generosity, central to Borana cultural values. Today, these jugs stand as a testament to the ways pastoralist communities have combined artistry with the necessities of daily life, creating objects that carry both practical and cultural meaning.