Chistera Onena - Craftsman at work

Artisan using a hand tool to weave the bands of wood together to make the basket. The use of the txistra (chistera) 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.