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1916.45.121

Axe that suspected criminals swear their innocence under, wood covered with raw-hide at one end, and set with four small iron blades.

1916.45.121

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Collection type
Object
Description
Axe that suspected criminals swear their innocence under, wood covered with raw-hide at one end, and set with four small iron blades.
Geographical reference
Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria
Degema Ndarshi
Cultural groups
Igbo Etche
Person
Field collector Percy Amaury Talbot
PRM source Percy Amaury Talbot
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1916
Date collected
By 1916
Acquisition information
Donated: 1916
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Rawhide Skin, Material Iron Metal, Material Blood, Material Bird Feather, Process Carved
Dimensions
Length: max 315 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1916.45.121
Research and responses

See Talbot, 'Tribes of the Niger Delta', 1932, pp. 239: "...he or she is ordered to clear him- or herself by taking oath of innocence. 'Should one swear falsely, the spirit will catch him'". [CF 27/3/2001]

Search terms: Weapon, Tool, Religion, Divination Religion, Axe, Religious Object, Divination Accessory

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