2024.7.2

Collection type

Object

Description

Carved wooden figure representing a missionary.

Long description

Carved wooden figure with round head and arms representing a missionary. The face and body of the figure are decorated with incised lines which have been blackened.

Geographical reference

Rwanda

Africa > Eastern Africa > Rwanda

Congo, Democratic Republic of

Africa > Central Africa > Congo, Democratic Republic of

Burundi

Africa > Eastern Africa > Burundi

Cultural groups

Twa

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector John Bennett

Field collector Eric Nelson

PRM source Linda Bradley

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1967

Date collected

1964-1967

Acquisition information

Donated: 2024

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Process Carved

Dimensions

Height: max 270 mm, Width: max 125 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 2024.7.2

Research and responses

This figure was acquired by Eric Nelson when he was first secretary, Consul and Charge D'Affaires for the British Embassies in Bujumbura in Burundi and Kigali in Rwanda between 1964 and 1967. During this time one of the embassy staff, probably John Bennett, went to inspect the progress on the new road being built between Lake Tangayika and Lake Kivu. Just south of Lake Kivu a tribe called Twa were passing through from the West from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They offered to sell some statues. Eric Nelson’s colleague knew he collected African artefacts and so bought some for himself and a set of six for Eric. He was told they represented missionaries; there were missionaries in the area at this time. Information provided by Eric Nelson’s daughter, Linda Bradley.

Search terms: Figure