Divination Plaques

Made:
1915-1925 in Uganda
maker:
Baganda
Divination plaque, 1880-1920. Top three quarter view

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Divination plaque, 1880-1920. Top three quarter view
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

6 divination plaques, hide, one with 2 bells, by Baganda tribe, Uganda, c. 1920

A set of six divination plaques from Uganda. In many African countries the cause of disease can be diagnosed by divination. The diviner throws the plaques onto a mat and interprets their pattern. These plaques are made from animal hide, and one has two bells fixed to the top.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A38291
Materials:
whole, hide and bells, iron
type:
divination plaques
credit:
Ugandan Government

Parts

Divination plaque

Divination plaque

Divination plaque, hide, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia, 1880-1920

Measurements:
overall: 5 mm x 87 mm x 100 mm, 0.026 kg
Materials:
whole, hide
Object Number:
A38291/1
type:
divination plaques
Divination plaque, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia, 1880-1920

Divination plaque, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia, 1880-1920

Divination plaque, hide, one with 2 bells, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia, 1880-1920


The Bagandan people of Uganda in East Africa used this plaque. It was part of a set of artefacts they used in divination. It is made of hide and has two bells attached. Divination is used in many African communities to diagnose the cause of illness. The plaque was donated by the Ugandan Government in 1925.

Measurements:
overall: 23 mm x 80 mm x 90 mm, 0.066 kg
Materials:
whole, hide and bells, iron
Object Number:
A38291/2
type:
divination board