This jug originates from the Borana people of southern Ethiopia and is crafted using a distinctive technique that combines locally available grasses with aluminum wire. The body is tightly coiled and woven, creating a lightweight yet durable container. Aluminum wire, often salvaged from trade goods or modern materials, is interlaced into the surface to strengthen the structure and form intricate geometric patterns. This marriage of natural and modern materials reflects both continuity and adaptation within Borana craft traditions.
 
Traditionally, such vessels were used to store milk, butter, or other liquids central to Borana pastoral life. In Borana culture, cattle are central to wealth and social identity, and the containers associated with milk and butter carried more than just practical use. They symbolized generosity, hospitality, and continuity within the community.
 
The use of aluminum wire is especially significant: it demonstrates how pastoralist groups integrate new materials into longstanding traditions, keeping their objects functional while also imbuing them with a distinct visual character. The darkened surface of this jug, paired with its finely woven texture and wire decoration, makes it not only a utilitarian object but also a piece of material culture that speaks to resilience, creativity, and cultural identity.