Divination bones, South Africa, 1880-1920

Made:
1880-1920 in South Africa
3 divination bones, South African, 1880-1920

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3 divination bones, South African, 1880-1920
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

3 divination bones, South African, 1880-1920

A set of three divination bones from South Africa, carved in the form of pendants. In many African countries the cause of disease can be diagnosed by divination. Diviners throw the bones onto a mat and interpret their pattern.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A221089
Materials:
bone
Measurements:
overall (upright): 60 mm x 9 mm x 8 mm, 0.006 kg
overall (all three): 0.024 kg
type:
divination set
credit:
Glendining