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1934.8.34

Oval archer's accessory made from sewn hide, used to assist drawing the bow string [RTS 5/3/2004].

On display

1934.8.34

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Collection type
Object
Description
Oval archer's accessory made from sewn hide, used to assist drawing the bow string [RTS 5/3/2004].
Long description
Archer's accessory, used to protect the right hand while drawing back the bow string. This consists of a single strip of hide, 24 mm in width, coiled twice around itself to form an oval loop, with one end on the inner and the other on the outer face. The overall thickness of the body of is therefore least at this point, where these two ends 'meet'. The strip is held in shape by a series of hide stitches going through the body; these are arranged in three rows around the circumference, with two incised lines between them, that may be both functional - to seat the bow string - and decorative. The surface is a dark glossy brown (Pantone black 7C) and may have been coated or treated. Complete and intact. Length across loop 116 mm, width across loop 66.3 mm, height 24.5 mm, thickness of doubled hide strip 16.5 mm; thickness of single strip 7 mm, width of stitches 3 mm. Its weight is approximately 114 grams [RTS 9/3/2004].
Geographical reference
South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan
Azumvuba
Cultural groups
Moru
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1933
Date collected
26th April 1933
Acquisition information
Donated: 1934
Materials and processes
Material Animal Hide Skin, Process Stitched
Dimensions
Width 66.3 mm, Length 116 mm, Height 24.5 mm, Weight 114 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1934.8.34 Other numbers: 818?
Research and responses

Azumvuba is probably located somewhere around the town of Mongalla, either in the modern districts of Bahr el Jebel or Western Equatoria.

The Moru name for this type of object is given as driba, and it was worn on the right hand while drawing the bow string. A similar type of archer's ring is in the Berlin Museum; the collector attributed this to the Nuer, but Evans-Pritchard has suggested that this is incorrect (R. Boccassino, 1960, "Contributo allo studio dell'ergologia delle popolazioni Nilotiche e Nilo-camitiche, parte prima", Annali Lateranensi XXIV, fig. 100b, pp 381-2 and note 7). For a Moru bow and arrow, collected at the same time, see 1934.8.32-33 [RTS 6/9/2005].

Search terms: Archery Weapon, Archery Accessory