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This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Shrine deity figure with base: has black head and neck, red mouth, and red border around a blank area on top of its head. A grass rope, partially red, with tassels is tied around its neck.

Narrative

According to Burnett, this figure came from a 'tambo' house, "situated on a slight eminence behind the village" where he noticed "an apparently very ancient stone figure of human form but with a crocodile expression." He wrote, "Though past experience had led me to the conclusion that it was impossible to obtain, by purchase, any article from a 'tambo' shrine, I lifted up this particular stone carving, and, merely through force of habit, asked the Chief...to sell it to me....To my amazement he appeared to hesitate... [which] encouraged me to offer him [a price], which he at first refused, but ultimately accepted....But I had to carry the 'devil' myself. Not one of the natives to whom I had entrusted my other purchases could be prevailed upon to touch the image, for ...they were firmly convinced that a violent end would be the speedy doom of whoever removed it from the 'tambo' house."

Item History

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