Skip to content
Pitt Rivers Museum

1958.11.2.148

Mkaramo clay figure. Cylindrical female figure that restricts slightly to form a roundly tapered head at one end. The figure has no legs, with a flared, flat, circular base. There are two prominent, conical projections representing breasts or arms. [IL [OPS Move] 2/5/2017]


1958.11.2.148

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Terms and Conditions

If you wish to order a high-resolution image and/or licence its use for print or web publication, exhibition, film, promotional product or any other use, whether in the academic or commercial sector of any print run, then please visit photographic services.

Collection type
Object
Description
Mkaramo clay figure. Cylindrical female figure that restricts slightly to form a roundly tapered head at one end. The figure has no legs, with a flared, flat, circular base. There are two prominent, conical projections representing breasts or arms. [IL [OPS Move] 2/5/2017]
Long description
Mkaramo figure used to teach morals to girls in puberty rituals. [IL [OPS Move] 2/5/2017]
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
Dimensions
Depth: max 16 mm, Height: max 36 mm, Width: max 13 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.2.148 Other numbers: 148 251
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika reads : ... [See 1958.11.2.1 for complete entry] ... [Retrospective number:] 251 [female symbol]148. Msaidieni. All the kungwis should co-operate to give her full and proper instruction.

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