Container Item Number: 905/7 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A horn (amuwara and/or ngamuwar) container with a skin lid and band of skin looped through tip of horn and through lid on concave side. Coil of metal wrapped around band, close to lid. Skin of lid and and parts of band still have fur attached. Three groups of long dark brown hair are attached to the band.
History Of Use
Container (akgitum) was likely used to store fat, which is used for domestic and cosmetic use. Types of fat stored in the containers are: emunyen, butterfat (akidetet), ghee (akimet), and bone marrow (akimet a akoit). Emunyen (goat or cattle fat mixed with ochre) is used by women for decorative purposes, moisturizing, relieving chafing, and preventing body lice. Necklaces are also coated in it. Butterfat and ghee are used as a calorie-dense source of key nutrients and minerals. It could be stored for longer portions of time, and could be eaten on its own or used in preparation of other foods; bone marrow was particularly nutritious. Fat from butchered animals was also stored in these containers, and could be heated to be used as a cooking oil.
Specific Techniques
The horn (amuwara/ngamuwar) was harvested from a Sanga cow. The skin composing the lid and band would have been harvested through the process of akiyeng, meaning "to skin with a knife". Skin can also be harvested through abutun, the processing of "pulling". The skin is usually bound with the use of a thick needle used in leather working, called an emutu or ngimutun. Skin with fur still attached to it is known as elou or ngiloui. These skills are mostly known to women since they are the principal creators of containers.
Item History
- Made in Kenya
- Owned by Nerina Bene before December 6, 1983
- Received from Nerina Bene (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on December 6, 1983
What
Who
- Culture
- Turkana
- Previous Owner
- Nerina Bene
- Received from
- Nerina Bene (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Kenya
When
- Ownership Date
- before December 6, 1983
- Acquisition Date
- on December 6, 1983
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0905/0007