Pouch Item Number: Ac227 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Alternating light yellow brown grass and brown fibre woven on wood slat warps form relatively flat, rectangular pouch which tapers to fitted, overlapping lid of same weave. Parallel, spaced, woven, brown fibre bands, three on pouch, three on lid, decorate circumference of both. Ends also woven in brown fibre and lid attached to pouch by twisted brown fibre cord which passes through and is knotted on two loops of pouch and two on lid, slack forming handle.
History Of Use
Chokwe people used pouches for many purposes; for example, certain pouches are dedicated for special ingredients for supernatural rituals while others are used for hunting. Pouches are worn by men and women, perhaps tied to belt. Woven by women, sometimes men.
Cultural Context
carrying
Narrative
The collector, Nellie Taylor, served as a nursing missionary (1900-1920), first with the Ovimbundu at Bihe, then with the Chokwe at luma Kasai. She belonged to a group who sponsored several missions across Central Africa from 1881-1931.
Iconographic Meaning
This pouch may feature the a maswi a yisakala ("net of cages") pattern, one of the most widespread Chokwe decorative motifs.
Item History
- Made in Luma Kasai, Angola before 1920
- Collected between 1900 and 1920
- Owned by Nellie Taylor
- Owned by Gladys G. Cameron before January 12, 1979
- Received from Gladys G. Cameron (Donor) on January 12, 1979
What
Who
- Culture
- Chokwe
- Previous Owner
- Nellie Taylor and Gladys G. Cameron
- Received from
- Gladys G. Cameron (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Luma Kasai, Angola
When
- Creation Date
- before 1920
- Collection Date
- between 1900 and 1920
- Ownership Date
- before January 12, 1979
- Acquisition Date
- on January 12, 1979
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0509/0004