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1931.66.22

Thick twisted plant fibre cord with a noose at either end, used for hobbling cattle [RTS 30/11/2004].

On display

1931.66.22

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Collection type
Object
Description
Thick twisted plant fibre cord with a noose at either end, used for hobbling cattle [RTS 30/11/2004].
Long description
Cord noose used for hobbling restless cattle; this consists of two separate elements, linked to one another. The main body is made of 3 lengths of twisted plant fibre, twisted into a thick cord. At one end, this has been divided and the separate strands worked into a small loop; this loop was then fitted over the cord body, and tightened to form a short noose that can be widened by sliding the loop up and down the cord. A second cord was added to provide an additional noose, that would be passed over the hind legs of a restless animal; this is of similar thickness to the main cord, and also made from 3 strands of plant fibre twisted together. Each end has been divided to form a simple loop, which fits over the body of the main cord. There is also a short piece of cord tied in a knot near one end. This second cord was fitted onto the first, and then the end of that cord was tied off with a large knot, that would prevent the noose from slipping off as well as keep its component strands from unravelling. The object is complete, with some minor fraying in places, and currently a light brown colour (Pantone 729C). It has a weight of 136.4 grams and a cord diameter of 10.5 mm. The longer cord has a length of 1250 mm; the shorter piece is 635 mm when stretched out to its full extent [RTS 30/11/2004].
Geographical reference
South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan
Cultural groups
Nuer
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1931
Date collected
1930 - 1931
Acquisition information
Donated: 1931
Materials and processes
Material Plant Fibre, Process Twisted, Process Looped, Process Knotted
Dimensions
Length 635 mm moving noose, extended, Length 1250 mm main cord, Diameter 10.5 mm cord, Weight 136.4 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1931.66.22
Research and responses

This object was probably collected during his first or second season of fieldwork amongst the Nuer, e.g.: in 1930 or 'the dry season' of 1931. In the former, he spent around three and a half months in Leek territory at Yahnyang and Pakur on the Bahr el Ghazal, in Lou territory at Muot Dit, and at Adok, amongst the Dok Nuer. In the latter, he spent five and a half months at Nasir, on the Nyanding River, and at Yakwat on the Sobat River (see E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1940, The Nuer, and the map of Evans-Pritchard's fieldwork in D.H. Johnson, "Evans-Pritchard, the Nuer, and the Sudan Political Service", African Affairs 81 no. 323, p. 233).

According to Evans-Pritchard, a cow may have its hind legs pulled together by a noose if it kicks while being milked; he illustrates one of these in use - with the larger noose being fixed around the animal's legs, and the shorter end loop held in the hand (E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1940, The Nuer, p. 22 and plate III; this image was taken in the Yakwac cattle camp on the Sobat River, amongst the Lou Nuer) [RTS 2/3/2004; CM 30/11/2004].

Nath is what the Nuer call themselves [CM 13/7/2004].

Search terms: Animal Gear, Cordage, Animal Harness, Cattle Accessory

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