Description (Labels & Markings)
Sealed envelope 'On his Majesty's Service', originally addressed to 'The Treasury Officer. Nairobi. C. W. Hobley'. Reused to enclose indigenous medicine. Hand-written note at the back: 'Kikuyu. Siari. The ashes of the feathers of the Rhinoceros bird. This is a medicine for impotency in the male or sterility in the female, it is not eaten but a little is rubbed on the pudendum or the penis. This cannot be dispensed without payment.' [Transcribed by Lucie Carreau, 31/03/2022].

'Update: [illegible] changed to 'pudendum', suggested by Zhaoting Justin Wei, Gates Scholar. Guey-Mei Hsu 22/11/2024'
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card: 'used by various tribes.'
Event Date 1926
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Accession register for 1926.583.1-16: 'Box of medicines.'
Event Date 1926
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Description for 1926.583[.1-16]: 'Sealed glass bottle with "Chembe" written on label. Fifteen envelopes with original information written on them, which appear to hold medicine powders. All stored in an old cigar box.'
Event Date 15/1/2002
Author: Emily Shorter

Description (Physical description)
Siari. Indigenous medicine, made from the ashes of the feathers of the Rhinoceros bird. Used to address impotency and infertility. Stored in a sealed envelope. Originally stored in a cigar box, now kept with the object.
Event Date 31/3/2022
Author: Lucie Carreau