This wooden baby milk jug originates from the Tutsi people of Rwanda and Burundi, where cattle have long held central importance in daily life and cultural identity. Milk, considered a symbol of purity and sustenance, plays a key role in Tutsi traditions, and vessels such as this were essential in caring for infants and young children.
 
The jug is carved from a single piece of wood and features a repair using metal inlay, a practice that not only extends the life of the vessel but also reflects the value placed on continuity and preservation. The smooth surface and natural patina speak to years of handling and use, while the form is both practical and intimate, designed for nourishment at the earliest stages of life.
 
Among the Tutsi, milk containers were more than functional objects, they were tied to concepts of health, prosperity, and social well-being. This baby jug, small in scale but rich in meaning, embodies that connection between everyday care and cultural values rooted in pastoral traditions.