1946.8.101.7

Collection type

Object

Description

Short length of plant fibre cord strung with 7 glass beads [RTS 30/6/2004].

Long description

Bead string made from a short length of plant fibre cord, composed of two strands twisted together, that has been knotted at one end and left free at the other, where the fibres are beginning to unwind. A series of 7 short cylindrical translucent turquoise blue-green beads have been threaded onto this cord (Pantone 7474C); these have been cut to different lengths, sometimes at a slight angle. These beads may have been manufactured by being drawn. The string is 35 mm long, and is probably incomplete as it is currently too short to be used as either an anklet or a waist string. The beads vary in length from 4 to 5 mm, and in diameter from 3.7 to 4.5 mm, with a total weight of 0.8 grams [RTS 30/6/2004].

Geographical reference

South Sudan

Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan

Eastern Equatoria Tarangala

Cultural groups

Lotuko

Otuho

Bor Dinka

Person

Field collector Charles Gabriel Seligman

Field collector Brenda Zara Seligman

PRM source Brenda Zara Seligman

Date / Period

Date made: Before 02/1922

Date collected

2nd or 3rd February 1922

Acquisition information

Acquired: 08/1946 Acquired: 30/06/2004

Materials and processes

Material Glass, Material Plant Fibre, Process Twisted, Process Knotted, Process Drawn

Dimensions

Diameter 3.7 mm smallest bead, Diameter 4.5 mm largest bead, Length: max 35 mm string, Length 4 mm smallest bead, Length 5 mm largest bead, Weight 0.8 g

Object numbers

Accession number: 1946.8.101.7

Research and responses

Comparison with other beads in this group (1946.8.101) suggests that these beads are not the true gwen bor type, which have an opaque white core and solid blue green exterior layer, but are probably an imitation or substitute chosen for its similar colouring. The same type of bead is found in 1946.8.101.4 and 1946.8.101.6 [RTS 30/6/2004].

Brenda Seligman discusses the gwen bor beads in her journal entry for 2nd February 1922, while at Tarangala: "I have noticed the special bor beads + spoke of them, they [unspecified villagers] told me their men had gone to Bor with Omunok (?Emin) + brought them back. In the afternoon I made Ikan [informant] a present of some beads + she exchanged a few of these for trade beads. At Bor they are almost priceless", and adds in the entry on February 3rd: "In the afternoon they all came up for farewells. Ikan sent a bowl of honey in exchange for beads. She had given me honey before, + very good it is. Then at the last she took off her waist string of Bor beads + gave them to me [=1946.8.101.1]. Ibrahin gave me a small sitting stool. A general presentation of beads and salt followed". The journal from which this exerpt has been taken is held in the London School of Economics Library archives, file 1/4/6 (FL 7/9/2004).

Search terms: Ornament, Bead, Currency, Leg Ornament, Waist Ornament