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1958.11.1.22

Clay Mkaramo figurine. Anthropomorphic figure with a cylindrical body, that flares at the base to represent buttocks, and stands on two short legs. Figure has two protruding, triangular shaped additions, possibly representing breasts or short arms, which that extend outwards and curve in different directions. Irregular shaped head which may represent pointed animal ears. [IL [OPS Move] 19/4/2017]

1958.11.1.22

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Collection type
Object
Description
Clay Mkaramo figurine. Anthropomorphic figure with a cylindrical body, that flares at the base to represent buttocks, and stands on two short legs. Figure has two protruding, triangular shaped additions, possibly representing breasts or short arms, which that extend outwards and curve in different directions. Irregular shaped head which may represent pointed animal ears. [IL [OPS Move] 19/4/2017]
Long description
Figurine : a representation of a spirit used in puberty rituals. Clay Mkaramo figurine. Anthropomorphic figure with a cylindrical body, that flares at the base to represent buttocks, and stands on two short legs. Figure has two protruding, triangular shaped addition, which appear to be either breasts that extend outwards and curve in different directions, or short arms. Irregular shaped head which may represent pointed animal ears. [IL [OPS Move] 19/4/2017]
Cultural groups
Zigula
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1958
Date collected
From 1951-1958
Acquisition information
Donated: 1958
Materials and processes
Material Clay, Process Handbuilt, Process Incised
Dimensions
Height: max 86 mm, Depth: max 36 mm, Width: max 39 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.1.22 Other numbers: J21 92 67
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika - Tanner Donations XVII, p. 66 reads:

Retrospective Number written in pencil E.S.A.

Figurines used for the moral teaching of adolescents in the puberty rituals of the Pangani district, Tanganyika By Ralph Tanner, Pangani District office, Tanga Province, Tanganyika Territory. (See Accessions Volume XVII, p. 66 - 1958.11.1-.3).

[next page] The moral teaching of adolescents in the puberty rituals of the region by Ralph Tanner. Spirits: (marked with a J).

[Retrospective number 76] J5. Toka Uluoni. Don’t pass a certain hill, as what you see on either side will be your responsibility.

See also 1958.11.1.1 to .33 [JP 25/8/2000]

J1 to J32 = 32 figurines. 3 of these were destroyed in transit so that leaves 29 figurines. 2 figurines are both labelled J17 so the final total number of figurines is 30 (not including the three destroyed in transit). The number of figurines given the accession book entry as 28 must therefore be wrong. I have created an entry for each of the 32 figurines documented in the bound volume Figurines from Tanganyika - Tanner plus one duplicate entry for J17. [JP 25/8/2000]

Search terms: Figure, Religion, Children and Childcare, Ritual and Ceremonial, Pottery, Religious Object, Prayer Object, Ceremonial Object, Animal Figure