1946.8.101.1

Collection type

Object

Description

String of mixed turquoise glass beads, worn by a woman around her waist [RTS 5/5/2004].

Long description

Waist ornament comprising a double twisted length of plant fibre cord, knotted together at the top, onto which have been strung 184 blue glass beads. The beads are a mix of short to long cylindrical beads (some with obliquely cut ends), ring beads (with convex sides) and disc beads (with flat sides). The majority are made from an opaque white glass which has an outer coating of turquoise blue (Pantone 325C) to turquoise green (Pantone 3258C) glass; this is probably the type that is known as gwen bor. There are about 14 beads in this group which lack this white core - 13 turquoise coloured glass examples, and a bright blue glass bead (Pantone 299C). These probably represent the imitation gwen bor mentioned by the Seligman's in their notes on this object. The string appears to be complete and intact, with a weight of 46.7 grams. It has a length of 430 mm, as strung, while the cord has a diameter of 0.5 mm. The beads themselves are of varying sizes; diameters range from 4.9 to 6.8 mm, and lengths from 4 to 7 mm [RTS 21/5/2004].

Geographical reference

South Sudan

Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan

Eastern Equatoria Tarangala

Cultural groups

Lotuko

Otuho

Bor Dinka

Person

Field collector Charles Gabriel Seligman

Field collector Brenda Zara Seligman

PRM source Brenda Zara Seligman

Date / Period

Date made: Before 03/02/1922

Date collected

3rd February 1922

Acquisition information

Donated: 1946

Materials and processes

Material Plant Fibre, Material Glass, Process Twisted, Process Strung

Dimensions

Length: max 430 mm as strung, Length: max 7 mm beads, Diameter: max 6.8 mm beads, Diameter: max 0.5 mm cord, Weight 46.7 g

Object numbers

Accession number: 1946.8.101.1

Research and responses

It is not clear which specific beads in this string should be regarded as gwen bor.

Brenda Seligman discusses these types of beads in her journal entry for 2nd February 1922, while at Tarangala: "I have noticed the special bor beads + spoke of them, they [unspecified villagers] told me their men had gone to Bor with Omunok (?Emin) + brought them back. In the afternoon I made Ikan [informant] a present of some beads + she exchanged a few of these for trade beads. At Bor they are almost priceless", and adds in the entry on February 3rd: "In the afternoon they all came up for farewells. Ikan sent a bowl of honey in exchange for beads. She had given me honey before, + very good it is. Then at the last she took off her waist string of Bor beads + gave them to me. Ibrahin gave me a small sitting stool. A general presentation of beads and salt followed". The journal from which this excerpt has been taken is held in the London School of Economics Library archives, file 1/4/6 (FL 7/9/2004).

This accession book entry refers to a group of objects; for the second string, see 1946.8.101.2, now in the British Museum; for the 3 short lengths, see 1946.8.101.3, 1946.8.101.4 and 1946.8.101.5 (the latter now in the British Museum), and for the loose beads, see 1946.8.101.6 - 15 [SHD 15/6/2000].

Search terms: Ornament, Bead, Cordage, Waist Ornament, Cord