- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Amulet for protection against evils, made from a skin covered mass covered with cowrie shells hung on a plaited leather cord.
- Geographical reference
- Western Region [Hoima, Kibale, Masindi districts] / Bunyoro-Kitara
- Cultural groups
- Nyoro
- Person
- Field collector John Roscoe
- Field collector Mackie Ethnological Expedition
- PRM source John Roscoe
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1920
- Date collected
- circa 1919
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1921
- Materials and processes
- Material Animal Skin, Material Cowrie Shell, Material Animal Leather Skin
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1921.9.115
- Research and responses
The use of this object, along with 1921.9.113 and 1921.9.116, is discussed by John Roscoe in 'The Bakitara' when describing the bathing rituals of the Omukama: '...the king returned to his seat in the bath-room and a fetish was placed on each shoulder, one between his feet, and one behind him, the last being a large cow-horn tipped with iron so that it could be stuck in the mud floor and stand upright.' This object may also be depicted in a photograph on Plate X, captioned 'Royal fetishes placed round the king when bathing'.
Roscoe, J. (1923) The Bakitara or Banyoro; the first part of the report to the Mackie ethnological expedition to Central Africa. England: The University press, 1923, p.94.
- Associated publications
- Reference: The Bakitara or Banyoro: The First Part of the Report of The Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa, Main author: John Roscoe; Cambridge, 1923, Page: 94, Page illustrated: Plate X
Search terms: Religion, Amulet, Religious Object