Gourd container used for divination, Kenya, 1871-1900

Made:: 1871-1900 in Kenya

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Large gourd container, marrow shaped
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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

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