Interesting wooden bowl

I got this at a thrift store, all banged up and dirty. I have no idea what kind of wood it is, but thought it very unique in how it looks braided on the top of the bowl. I have started sanding it, and love the big knot hole on the side. I never know if I should NOT sand something, keeping its integrity, or go ahead and clean it up. There are no markings anywhere on the bowl, which isn't very big--maybe 6 inches across.