Medicine man's bag, Congo, West Africa, 1871-1910
- Made:
- 1871-1910 in Democratic Republic of Congo
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseLeather bag from medicine man's outfit decorated with fringe of
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Leather bag from medicine man's outfit decorated with fringe of
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Leather bag from medicine man's outfit decorated with fringe of beads with coiled leather discs, fibre draw string at top, Congolese, 1871-1910
Herbs, minerals and objects for divination were held in this leather bag. It was used by a shaman in the Congo region of West Africa. Shamen were referred to as medicine men. The bag was made in the late 1800s. It forms part of a larger outfit worn by a shaman. The drawstring bag is fringed with beads made of small seeds and coiled leather disks. These distinctive accessories identify healers and show their status within their community.
Details
- Category:
- Ethnography and Folk Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A652654
- Materials:
- leather, glass, beads and fibre
- Measurements:
-
overall: 10 mm x 180 mm x 130 mm, .06kg
- type:
- medicine pouch
