Chistera Onena - Cesta Braiding

Rods are cut to the desired width and thickness through the use of a number of hand tools. They are arranged in pairs around a central blade so that they intersect properly during the weaving process. The rods are humidified slightly to increase their pliability and flexibility during the nearly 12 hours it takes to braid them together. The use of the txistra (chistera, cesta) in zesta punta (cesta-punta, jai alai) is attributed to Jean Dithurbide. Prior to 1857, the wicker basket used in his modification was traditionally used to pick grapes. It became popular because it reduces player fatigue in handball associated with the use of traditional heavy leather gloves and allows participants to hurl the ball faster and farther with less effort. The game held a Guinness World Record for the fastest ball speed (302 km/h, 188 mph) from 1979-2009. The manufacture of a txistra requires 20-25 hours per basket. The Gonzalez family factory, pictured here, was established in 1887 and is the only one of its kind in France. It has been passed from one generation to the next through patrilineal inhereitance.