Leather bag with objects for divination, Africa, 1880-1930

Made:
1880-1930 in Africa
Bag with objects for divination. Africa, 1880-1920 Bag with objects for divination. Africa, 1880-1920

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Bag with objects for divination. Africa, 1880-1920
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bag with objects for divination. Africa, 1880-1920
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Bag with objects for divination, containing 30 animal vertebrae, 2 pebbles, 1 hoof, two pieces of carved bone, one nut shell, Africa, 1880-1930

A woven string bag containing objects used for divination. The bag contains thirty-six objects including animal bones, pebbles, nut kernels and a hoof, each of which means something specific to a diviner. The objects are thrown onto a mat and the pattern can represent any one of hundreds of different causes of illness.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A164229
Materials:
string, leather, bone, stone, nut shell and complete
Measurements:
overall: 0.26 kg
overall (bag, lying flat): 62 mm x 100 mm x 196 mm,
overall (draw cord): 140 mm
type:
divination set
credit:
Glendining