Question

What is the purpose of a winnowing basket?

1) To remove rice chaff
2) To store rice
3) To cook rice
4) To transport rice

Answer 1

The winnowing basket's purpose is to remove rice chaff after harvesting and processing. This traditional technique, which has West African origins and a history in South Carolina, was crucial for preparing rice for consumption or sale.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of a winnowing basket is to remove rice chaff, which is the indigestible hulls from the rice grains. After the rice was harvested and dried, the grains were threshed and then pounded to separate the hulls. The rice was then placed in winnowing baskets and tossed up and down, allowing the lighter chaff to be blown away by the wind, leaving the heavier rice grains behind. This process was essential in preparing rice for consumption or shipment.In eighteenth century South Carolina, winnowing baskets were made by African women from light grasses and palmetto leaf. The tradition of coiled grass basket making, along with the process of winnowing, has roots in West African culture, and has been passed down through generations.Winnowing baskets were not used for cooking, storing, or transporting rice. They were specifically designed to facilitate the winnowing process, which is critical in the post-harvest treatment of rice to remove unwanted parts before the rice is ready for consumption or selling.