Fakir's sandal, India, 1871-1920

Made:
1871-1920 in India
Fakir's sandal Fakir's sandal

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Fakir's sandal
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Fakir's sandal
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Fakir's sandal, wooden with iron spikes through sole and wooden toe peg, India, 1871-1920

This nail-studded sandal was one of a pair worn by a fakir – a Muslim or Hindu religious figure in India. He lived off donations and led a life of fasting, prayer and abstinence. The sandals are worn to show the power of the fakir’s spirit to conquer physical pain. Fakirs hope to achieve spiritual enlightenment by overcoming pain through years of practice.

Details

Category:
Asian Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A158010
Materials:
complete, wood and iron
Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 240 mm x 110 mm,
type:
sandals
credit:
Glendining