Accession No

1927.334 H


Description

Ambari nusi. Black ambergris wrapped in paper.


Place

Africa; East Africa; Tanzania; Zanzibar; Pemba Island


Period


Source

Matola, Leslie [field collector]; Hudson, Egbert C. [facilitator]; Ridgeway, William (Professor Sir) [bequeather]


Department

Anth


Reference Numbers

1927.334 H


Cultural Affliation


Material

Animal; Ambergris


Local Term

Ambari nusi


Measurements


Events

Context (Amendments / updates)
See the related MAA archives, AA4/6/1, 'Letters from Leslie Matrola, Pemba Island, to Egbert C. Hudson, the Universities Mission, Zanzibar. Containing lists of specimens sent to Prof. W. Ridgeway via Hudson and details of native names of specimens, use and manufacture. There are particularly detailed notes on the contents of the witch doctor's bag and the practice of witchcraft in the area. With letter from Hudson to Ridgeway.'

Event Date
Author: rachel hand


Context (Related Documents)
Originally stored in an envelope labelled: 'No VII / English = Ambergris / Ambari ny[?] = Black Ambergris / [?]'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring


Context (Display)
Possible display label found with 1927.334 A-W: 'Witch-doctor's outfit from Pemba, East Africa. / This outfit is of great interest, as the contents were identified by an intelligent native. / Ridgeway Collection.'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring


Context (Field collection)
Label tied bag 1927.334 A: 'Medicine Man's Bag, Pemba and German East Africa. Bought for me by Natolo, Pemba'.

Event Date 1927
Author: maa


Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card 1927.334 A-W:
'A: Medicine man's bag containing:
B: Mwatua yiwe - "stone breaker". Bits of stick.
C: Viunza. 2 bits of boards for making coffins.
D: Mwangao. Bit of stick.
E: Mwangajini. 2 bits of stick.
F: Mchofuo. Bits of stick.
G: Msandali. Piece of sandal wood.
H: Ambari nusi. Black amber gris.
I: Tin case containing powder of Ngariba, a tooth and rags.
J: Mtandakanga - a root.
K: Mpingo - piece of ebony.
L: Piece of string with a bit of root attached.
M: Parcel of miscellaneous roots.
N: Missing, was of wood and human hair.
O: Small bottle of blood.
P: Bottle of Unga wa ndere tied up in a rag.
Q: Oil of Kambaru. Human fat.
R: Packet of bones, amber gris and Uvumba (incense).
S: Unga wa Ngano. Corn flower.
T: Mrukiani, bit of stick.
U: Vuo - bottle.
V: Marmara, marble for grinding.
W: Arabic written charm.
See written account.'

Event Date 1927
Author: maa


Description (Physical description)
Ambari nusi. Black ambergris wrapped in paper.
Event Date 6/4/2022
Author: Katrina Dring


FM:296137

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