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Pitt Rivers Museum

1958.11.2.230

Clay Mkaramo anthropomorphic figure. Cylindrical body, with two forward extended legs. Female genitalia in-between the legs. Moulded facial features, with red and white beads in the eye socket. Black patches across the surface, signs of burning. [BH [OPS Move] 8/5/2017] [BH [OPS Move] 8/5/2017]


1958.11.2.230

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Clay Mkaramo anthropomorphic figure. Cylindrical body, with two forward extended legs. Female genitalia in-between the legs. Moulded facial features, with red and white beads in the eye socket. Black patches across the surface, signs of burning. [BH [OPS Move] 8/5/2017] [BH [OPS Move] 8/5/2017]
Long description
Mkaramo figure used to teach morals to girls in puberty rituals. [BH [OPS Move] 8/5/2017]
Cultural groups
Zigula
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1958
Date collected
From 1951-1958
Acquisition information
Donated: 1958
Materials and processes
Material Clay, Material Bead, Process Moulded, Process Burnt
Dimensions
Height: max 166 mm, Width: max 80 mm, Depth: max 72 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.2.230 Other numbers: 230 333
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika reads : ... [See 1958.11.2.1 for complete entry] ... [Retrospective number:] 333[female symbol] 230. Ukubwani. After puberty rites, girl has grown up and should stop childish ways.

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