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Pitt Rivers Museum

1937.34.21

Apron of hide, decorated with brown and wide beads. Worn by young girls. [JC 31 1 2002]


1937.34.21

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Apron of hide, decorated with brown and wide beads. Worn by young girls. [JC 31 1 2002]
Geographical reference
Kavirondo Nyanza
Cultural groups
Luo
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1936
Date collected
1936
Acquisition information
Donated: 1937
Materials and processes
Material Animal Hide Skin, Material Bead, Material Wood Plant, Material Sisal Fibre Plant, Process Stitched, Process Tied, Process Twisted
Dimensions
Width: max 90 mm, Height: max 60 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1937.34.21
Research and responses

Examined by Gilbert Oteyo and Jeremy Coote in September 2002 as part of the British Academy funded project 'Luo Histories and Material Culture at the Pitt Rivers Museum': Small apron (90 mm wide) consisting of a panel made up of 18 'strings' of 18 glass beads (17 light brown with one white bead at the bottom) threaded on thin pieces of wood. These 18 strings are tied together with sisal, the whole reinforced at the back by tying on three pieces of wood. The top ends of the pieces of wood on which the beads are 'strung' are inserted into a hide waistband, one end of which is finished in a loop for tying. A piece of more recent string of no obvious indigenous function is attached to this loop. Worn by women. Such an ornament can be seen being worn in two photographs in the Museum's collections taken by Figueira (C2.12.11.a-b). [JC 20 9 2002]

Search terms: Clothing, Children and Childcare, Ornament, Waist Ornament, Apron, Groin-cover