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1922.25.8

Rectangular headrest with convex upper face, carved from a single block of wood [RTS 27/5/2005].

1922.25.8

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Collection type
Object
Description
Rectangular headrest with convex upper face, carved from a single block of wood [RTS 27/5/2005].
Long description
Headrest carved from a single block of reddish brown wood (approximately Pantone 161C). This has a rectangular body and lentoid section, with strongly convex upper surface and slightly flatter underside, roughly cut flat at either end. The upper surface has been more finely finished than the other faces, and may have further polish from use. It is complete and intact, and has a weight of excess of 1000 grams. The headrest is 236 mm long, 113.6 mm wide and has a maximum thickness of 63.1 mm [RTS 27/5/2005].
Geographical reference
South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan
Bahr el Jebel Eastern Equatoria Between Mongalla and Torit
Cultural groups
Lokoya
Lotuko
Otuho
Person
Field collector Charles Gabriel Seligman
Field collector Brenda Zara Seligman
PRM source Charles Gabriel Seligman
Date / Period
Date made: Before 03/1922
Date collected
January to March 1922
Acquisition information
Donated: 1922
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Process Carved
Dimensions
Length: max 236 mm, Depth: max 63.1 mm, Width: max 113 mm, Weight 1000 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1922.25.8
Research and responses

The town of Mongalla is located in the modern administrative district of Bahr el Jebel, while Torit lies in Eastern Equatoria. The Lokoya language is listed in Ethnologue as a language found in the Torit district of Eastern Equatoria, which has a 64% lexical similarity with Otuho, and containing the ethnic groups Irya and Owe [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=LKY]. For discussions of the Lokoya, see G.W.B. Huntingford, 1953, The Northern Nilo-Hamites, p. 75-78, and C.G. Seligman, Pagan Tribes, pp 340-345.

Two similar headrests were collected by the Seligman's at around the same time, 1922.25.9 and 1922.25.10. These have a similar body shape, but with a tenon projecting from one end, that could presumably have acted as a carrying handle [RTS 7/2/2005].

Search terms: Furniture Dwelling, Headrest, Furniture