Description (Labels & Markings)
Label attached with string: 'No VIII / Powder of Ngariba and teeth of some animal or human for the same or other purposes and the rags also'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Related Documents)
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 (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

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

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

Context (Amendments / updates)
Although the label attached to this object references animal or human teeth, the tooth found inside the tin is definitely from an animal, most likely a goat or sheep.
Event Date 7/4/2022
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Tin box containing powder of Ngariba, a tooth and rags. White powder wrapped in a piece of brown paper, possibly an envelope, and a piece of German-language newspaper; one animal tooth, likely from a goat or sheep; two pieces of cloth, one white and the other grey.
Event Date 7/4/2022
Author: Katrina Dring