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Pitt Rivers Museum

1958.11.2.355

Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical figure, with circular flared base. Two pointed protrusions, representing breasts or arms. No distinction between the main body and the head. Flat top of the head. Painted black horizontal and vertical lines. [BH [OPS Move] 16/5/2017]


1958.11.2.355

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Clay Mkaramo figure. Cylindrical figure, with circular flared base. Two pointed protrusions, representing breasts or arms. No distinction between the main body and the head. Flat top of the head. Painted black horizontal and vertical lines. [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, Material Pigment, Process Moulded, Process Painted
Dimensions
Width: max 35 mm, Depth: max 35 mm, Height: max 72 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1958.11.2.355 Other numbers: 429 458
Research and responses

Figurines from Tanganyika reads : ... [See 1958.11.2.1 for complete entry] ... [Retrospective number:] 458 [female symbol] 429. Hali Moja. Girl will have disgrace if she changes round the instructions of kungwi.

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