- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Iron armlet with short spikes around the edge, worn by boys during wrestling fights [RTS 4/3/2004].
- Long description
- Armlet made from a single piece of iron with square section, bent into a loop with the ends 1 mm apart and almost touching; these have been roughly cut at an angle. The upper surface has been worked with a chisel to form 46 sharp pointed spikes around its outer edge; each of these has been pulled away from the surface and angled slightly down; some spikes have small cuts on their lower surfaces to produce a more jagged edge. The inner surface, which rests against the skin, and the underside are both flat. The object is complete and intact. There is no obvious poison on the barbs. The length across the armlet is 63.5 mm with spikes, and 58 mm without, while the width across it is 65.3 mm with spikes, and 60 mm without. The width of the bar from which the armlet has been made is 3.3 mm, and its thickness 3.3 mm; it weighs 15.8 grams. The metal is currently a silvery gray colour (Pantone 423C) [RTS 4/3/2004].
- Geographical reference
- Cultural groups
- Nuer
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1936
- Date collected
- 1935 - 1936
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1936
- Materials and processes
- Material Iron Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Hammered
- Dimensions
- Thick: max 3.3 mm, Width: max 65.3 mm, Length: max 63.5 mm, Weight 15.8 g
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1936.10.17
- Research and responses
Evans-Pritchard did his fieldwork amongst the Nuer in four expeditions, which took place in 1930, 1931, 1935 and 1936. This object was probably collected in 1935 or 1936, when he held a research fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust (see E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1940, The Nuer) [RTS 2/3/2004].
Evans-Pritchard, writing in 1940, commented on the scarcity of iron amongst the Nuer and the high value consequently placed on objects made from it: 'Nuer have always been poor in iron objects ... Iron bells ... are rare and highly prized even at the present time, and in the old days iron rings and bracelets were important pieces of property' (E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1940, The Nuer, p. 86) [RTS 2/3/2004].
Lindblom suggests that this type of fighting bracelet developed out of metal arm rings, and can be found among a number of African groups, including the Nuer, Dinka, Shilluk, Jibbeh, Bongo, Jur, Acholi, Madi, Latuka, Irenga, Jibbeh, Abukaya and Mittu. He illustrates an example similar to this one, said to come from the Mbum, in Cameroon (K.G. Lindblom, 1927, ‘Fighting-bracelets and Kindred Weapons in Africa’, Smärre Meddelanden, p. 7 and fig. 6). Although Evans-Pritchard associates this object with wrestling fights, and also with boys (see 1931.66.34-5), in other groups they could be associated with men (the Lotuko), or women, who used them for both fighting and dance (the Moru; C. Spring, 1993, African Arms and Armour, p. 116) [RTS 26/2/2004].
For the other armlets mentioned, see 1936.10.13-16, 1936.10.18-20.
In J. G Wood (1874) The Natural History of Man, Vol. 1 (London: Routledge) p.522, in a chapter about the Nuer, the author asserts: 'On the right wrist they carry an iron ring armed with projecting blades, very similar to that which is worn by the Latookas (Lotuko). Joctian, the chief of the Nuehr [sic] tribe, was asked by Sir. S. Baker what was the use of this weapon, and by way of answer he simply pointed to his wife's arms and back, which were covered in scars produced by this primitive wife-tamer. He seemed quite proud of these marks, and evidently considered them merely as ocular proofs that his wife was properly subservient to her husband.' [DCF Cutting Edge Research, HA 20/02/2008]
Search terms: Weapon, Sport, Ornament, Arm Ornament