Mehinako Kunho Basket | Natural Xapütü

Heritage and Construction

An expression of Upper Xingu craftsmanship, the Kunho is a traditional Mehinako basket form, used in fishing practices and daily life. Its open, ventilated structure is suited for catching or carrying small river fish, while also serving broader domestic functions such as drying herbs, seeds, gathered materials, and fruits.

Each basket is constructed from Alapiti, a river vine used to form the circumference and structural body of the piece. It is detailed with Xepeku and Xapïtï, fibers prepared from the young spine of the Buriti palm. Together, these materials create a lightweight yet resilient form, balancing flexibility, ventilation, and structural integrity.

Material Language

• Kunho — basket

• Alapiti — river vine used to form the basket circumference

• Xepeku — prepared fiber from the Buriti palm spine

• Xapïtï — young Buriti spine / fiber material

Use and Form

The Kunho’s airy construction allows water and air to move through the basket, making it suited to fishing, drying, and holding gathered foods or daily-use objects. Variations in depth, diameter, and weave are inherent to the handmade process. Some pieces present a shallower, more open form, while others hold a deeper bowl-like structure.