Cane

Item number Ab307 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Wooden cane covered almost entirely in bands (8-9 cm wide) of blue, white, and red beads. Handle has pink and blue beadwork. Remaining bands have multi-coloured geometric designs. Handle end is rounded wood, and bottom has tapering metal tip.

History Of Use

Beads are used to decorate royal objects such as staffs which are associated with court ceremonial. Tribal designs such as triangle motifs and interlacing diamond patterns have symbolic importance. North Nguni groups are highly skilled in fashioning geometric motifs that usually carry a message or state a proverb.