How can tightly plaited baskets hold liquids?

Tightly plaited baskets can hold liquids when they are made waterproof through specific techniques. This is achieved either by using an exceptionally close plaiting process that minimizes gaps between the fibers or by applying a special coating to the surface of the basket.1

In some traditions, such as those found in parts of Europe, Africa, and among certain North American Indigenous groups, these watertight containers are used for various liquid-related tasks. For example, the Hupa Indians of northwestern California have historically used such baskets to boil water or food by dropping hot stones into the liquid. Additionally, some larger basketry structures, such as the gufa of the Tigris, are made of plaited reeds and rendered watertight by being caulked with bitumen.1