Gourd container used for divination, Kenya, 1871-1900
- maker:
- Akikuya people
Large gourd container, marrow shaped, opening plugged with paper, containing pebblestones used for divination, part of medicine man's equipment, Akikuya tribe, Kenya, 1870-1900
A large gourd (hollowed fruit) also known as a calabash, used for divination by the Akikuya people of Kenya. The flesh and seeds are removed from the fruit so it can be used as a bottle or dish. This gourd has been filled with pebbles and sealed closed.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A657252
- Materials:
- gourd and stopper, paper
- Measurements:
-
overall: 125 mm x 485 mm x 120 mm, 1.214 kg
- type:
- gourd
- credit:
- Leakey, Louis Seymour Bazett