Wooden stick with the upper section (cranium) of a monkey skull attached to it, said to be used as protection against enemies and evil spirits.

Collection type: Object
Description: Wooden stick with the upper section (cranium) of a monkey skull attached to it, said to be used as protection against enemies and evil spirits.
Long description: Wooden stick with the upper section (cranium) of a monkey skull attached to it, said to be used as protection against enemies and evil spirits. The stick has been carved so that one side is roughly flattened and one end is shaped into a bulbous point. There are faint markings in black along the flattened edge. The monkey skull has been tied to the middle of the stick with plant fibre, to which a small piece of ginger is also attached. Objects of this sort are usually placed outside a village on a 'spirit fence'.
Geographical reference: India
Asia > Southern Asia > India
Cultural groups: Zeme Naga
Person: Associated person Gaidinliu; Field collector James Philip Mills; PRM source James Philip Mills
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1932
Date collected: March 1932
Acquisition information: Donated: 1932, uncertain
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Material Monkey Bone Animal, Material Plant Root, Material Cane Plant, Material Charcoal, Process Chip Carved, Process Written, Process Notched
Dimensions: Length: max 912 mm, Width: max 158 mm, Depth: max 85 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1928.69.1566