apron;
masquerade-costume
- Museum number
- Af1922,0610.20
- Description
-
Kilt, apron (part of costume, worn with mask no.1 in collection) made of fibre (bast).
- Dimensions
-
Height: 81 centimetres
-
Width: 101 centimetres
-
Depth: 5.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- In set with Af1922,0610.01
In set with Af1922,0610.18
In set with Af1922,0610.22
See Ethdoc 226 - 'Death and Funeral' (Chamba Tribe) presumably by Capt. E S Lilley. The following item is annotated '1922.6-10.1 and 18ff: PRIESTHOOD. The priesthood is hereditary and is handed on from father to son. There are three priests (1) NAJUBTU (2) NANGBOLIN (3) WURKOKSA. The first two work only for the JUBI whilst the third one for WURMI. ... 'NANGBOLIN. His vestments consist in a headpiece, a short pair of drawers, long trousers and a gown. Each of these is made of network, and on the network is tied, frayed out rope. The trousers are put on over the head and have a small neck opening which keeps it in place. the gown is fitted with long sleeves. When all the garments have been put on, none of the person is visible, and he looks as though he has been completely clothed in dried grass.
The head piece is a large wooden mask, which resembles a distorted bush cows head. The eyes are represented by two small pieces of tin, but are of no practical use. There is a huge mouth and through this the priest sees where he is going. The whole is surmounted with a pair of curved horns. The mask is smeared all over with red clay. I procured these vestments and they are wonderfully made. The reason given me for making the mask like a bush cow head was that the bush cow inspires terror and the mask is meant to also. When the clothes were brought to me, the man did a wonderful dance. This dance is only done when a man is sick and likely to die...'
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1922
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1922,0610.20
