Whisk Item Number: K5.153 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Whisk of woven grass and fibre string with a long, cylindrical woven handle tied at both ends with fibre string that has been wrapped around the handle. One end consists of unwoven grass that splays out slightly.
History Of Use
Beer whisk. The beverage, utshwala, is used in communal ceremonies to contact ancestor spirits. The first drinker is a woman, to ensure that it is brewed properly, and the second is the male head of the household. Afterwards it is passed around to the other men; men and women drink separately. The ceramic pots that store the beer, an izinkamba or ukhamba, are kept on the floor so that the Amadlozi, ancestor spirits, always have access.
Item History
- Made in Durban, Natal, South Africa during 1972
- Owned by African Art Center before November 7, 1972
- Received from African Art Center (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source) on November 7, 1972
What
Who
- Culture
- Zulu
- Previous Owner
- African Art Center
- Received from
- African Art Center (Seller) and Unknown (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Durban, Natal, South Africa
When
- Creation Date
- during 1972
- Ownership Date
- before November 7, 1972
- Acquisition Date
- on November 7, 1972
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0225/0006