Aep (Tai Dam Sticky-Rice Basket) — a Bulging Woven Basket, Square Bottom, Fitted Lid, Crossed-Board Feet and Handle, Cord Shoulder Strap

"Both ends of each strip must be shaved narrower, to force the aep to bulge in the middle, or to make the lid flare out." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0)

Shave both ends of each strip narrower (suai tok). For a pattern, dye strips with tinned oil paint: dip a cloth in the paint and draw the strip through it, rather than painting with a brush.

Start at the centre of the bottom, overlapping the ends of the standing and crossing strips into a square of about 10 cm, then raise it into a cylinder and draw it in to a narrower mouth as the strips taper. It bulges slightly, then narrows into a neck the lid fits over. Fold the strips into the weave to finish the mouth; no bamboo rim is added. Weave the lid the same way as the bottom, about 10 cm high, then fold in the edge.

Make the lid handle from board: notch two pieces to cross in an X, shape them to fit the square lid and tie them on with rattan. Make the base the same way, shaping the ends to fit the basket, and bind with braided rattan. Thread a thin cord as a carrying and shoulder strap through body and lid together.

Photos of a real aep, Ancient Tai Dam Cultural Revival Centre, U Thong, Suphan Buri (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), CC BY 4.0).

Fill it with steamed sticky rice and carry it on the shoulder to the fields or on a journey. The crossed board on the lid is a handle and balances the basket. The lid turns over into a small bowl for dry side dishes such as grilled fish or chicken.

The Tai Dam aep is used like the krathip, but bulges and is larger, holding sticky rice for a whole family. An aep for ritual use has a carved finial on the lid. Take care with the knife when shaving strips and shaping wood. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "แอบข้าว", author พิชชา ทองขลิบ (Phitcha Thongkhlip), Ancient Tai Dam Cultural Revival Centre, Suphan Buri (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no body height and no size for the crossed boards, and there is no listing for rattan or oil paint, so they are named in the text.