Fertility Figure Item Number: 905/11 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Made out of nuts in three parts covered with nine dangling strands of bone, possibly that of vertebrae, that have a conical bone at each end. The top is covered with strands of hide. There is a piece of hide underneath the bone strands, which are also decorated with a white, red, and white bead at the top and middle.
History Of Use
Tag says: ‘Turkana doum palm doll’. Made of doum plam nuts (emol), with pendants made of animal vertebra. Aprons of young girls (arach; made of ostrich eggshells) are represented by white beads. The fertility figures are called ekidet, and were meant to represent the future first born baby of a Turkana girl.
Narrative
Collected by the donor while living in Nairobi.
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
- 0905/0011