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Pitt Rivers Museum

1958.11.2.282

Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical body, with a flared, circular base. Two extended protrusions, representing a breasts or arms, and a rounded projection near the base representing the navel. Two semicircular ears, with two feathers attached. [IL [OPS Move] 11/5/2017]


1958.11.2.282

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical body, with a flared, circular base. Two extended protrusions, representing a breasts or arms, and a rounded projection near the base representing the navel. Two semicircular ears, with two feathers attached. [IL [OPS Move] 11/5/2017]
Long description
Mkaramo figure used to teach morals to girls in puberty rituals. [IL [OPS Move] 11/5/2017]
Cultural groups
Zigula
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1958
Date collected
From 1951-1958
Acquisition information
Donated: 1958
Materials and processes
Material Clay, Material Bird Feather, Process Moulded
Dimensions
Width: max 30 mm, Depth: max 24 mm, Height: max 71 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.2.282 Other numbers: 356 385
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika reads : ... [See 1958.11.2.1 for complete entry] ... [Retrospective number:] 385 [female symbol] 356. Mayanza. Immoral girl will become sick from dealing with strange men, and very thin.

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