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Pitt Rivers Museum

1958.11.2.348

Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical figure, flared circular base. Two pointed protrusions, representing breasts or arms. No distinction between the main body and the head. Domed shaped protrusion representing either a navel or pregnancy. [BH [OPS Move] 16/5/2017]


1958.11.2.348

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical figure, flared circular base. Two pointed protrusions, representing breasts or arms. No distinction between the main body and the head. Domed shaped protrusion representing either a navel or pregnancy. [BH [OPS Move] 16/5/2017]
Long description
Mkaramo figure used to teach morals to girls in puberty rituals. [BH [OPS Move] 16/5/2017]
Cultural groups
Zigula
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1958
Date collected
From 1951-1958
Acquisition information
Donated: 1958
Materials and processes
Material Clay, Process Moulded
Dimensions
Height: max 55 mm, Width: max 22 mm, Depth: max 22 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.2.348 Other numbers: 422 451
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika reads : ... [See 1958.11.2.1 for complete entry] ... [Retrospective number:] 451 [female symbol] 422. Kazi Nzuri. Kungwi’s advice is good, if girl does not follow kungwi will have nothing more to do with her.

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