Water Basin

Jalani (Student)

Water basins can be tracked to ancient times. Used throughout the entire world and made of many different types of metals, clays, and glasses (including porcelain), basins were and still are reliable items for personal hygiene, washing fruits and vegetables, carrying water or objects around and temporary storage.

It was more than customary for enslaved Africans in the Americas to use water basins in daily life while competing their forced work, and inside their bare living quarters among pots, a few pieces and clothing and straw-stuffed sleeping mats.

The basin’s modern day relative is the sink. Basins are still used today, but most will be made of plastic.