Bowl Item Number: Ad58 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Calabash or gourd sliced in half. Hollow pumpkin-shaped and very deep with a curved handle on one end. Outside surface covered with black incised geometric linear lines with snakes, lizards, and other creatures around the centre area bordered by abstract patterns. Leather strip pierced through in three holes in a loop.

History Of Use

Calabash is a type of gourd which grows in many shapes and sizes. The use of each gourd depends on its natural shape: used for food bowls, ceremonial bowls, and drinking vessels. Usually carved by men. Carved only by specialists, who use heated knife blade or smaller tool to scratch areas, then rub with dark soot to stain incised areas. Most patterns are geometric motifs of plants, animals, household objects and humans. Gourds turn darker with age and use. Usually a favourite one is considered for its form, decoration, age, patterns and repairs; other uses include well buckets, water pots, travelling containers, churns, sounding- boards of musical instruments, water pipe, and smaller ones used for snuff boxes and medicine cases.

Cultural Context

Domestic utensil

Narrative

Possibly from the Borana?

Item History

What

Name
Bowl
Identification Number
Ad58
Type of Item
bowl
Material
calabash fruit and leather skin
Manufacturing Technique
hollowed, pitted, carved, pierced, skinned and incised
Overall
height 10.5 cm, width 24.1 cm, depth 20.1 cm

Who

Culture
East African
Previous Owner
Marta Friesen
Received from
Marta Friesen (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Kenya

When

Creation Date
before 1978
Collection Date
during 1978
Ownership Date
before March 3, 1981
Acquisition Date
on March 3, 1981

Other

Condition
fair
Accession Number
0705/0032