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 (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

Description (Labels & Markings)
Black, textured label adhered to bottle: 'Lotion Vegetale / pur l'entretien et la conservation de la chevalure / Parfumerie Rosealys'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Bottle labelled in relief: 'Parfumerie Du Progres'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Label attached with string: 'Oil of Kambaru / No XVI'
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)
Bottle containing oil of Kambaru. Bottle of translucent glass with a recessed, ridged base, ridged shoulder and long, stoppered neck; black rectangular label of texture paper adhered to bottle; strip of black paper around neck, additional circular and small rectangular labels adhered to bottle; loop of cord around neck; content appears to be crystallised fat. Said to contain human fat.
Event Date 7/4/2022
Author: Katrina Dring