Accession No
Z 16881
Description
Piece of bark from the Ordeal Tree, used to make mwavi poison. Rugged grey to brown exterior and red to brown interior.
Place
Africa; Central Africa; Malawi; Lake Malawi; Nkhotakota
Period
Source
Poole, Wordsworth (Dr) [field collector and depositor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 16881; 49 [Poole Coll.]
Cultural Affliation
Material
Bark; Wood
Local Term
mwavi
Measurements
250mm
Events
Description (Labels & Markings)
Label adhered to bark: 'Bark from which mwavi is made (the trial by poison)'
Added in second hand: 'Erythiophloemn [sic] Quinense' and '49'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card: 'Piece of bark 'Erythiophloem Quinense' from which mwam is made (the trial by poison)'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Physical description)
Piece of bark with rugged grey to brown external surface and red to brown interior. Use to make mwavi poison.
Event Date 2/12/2022
Author: Katrina Dring
Context (Amendments / updates)
The botanical name given on the label 'Erythiophloem Quinense' may be a mis-transcription of Erythrophleum guineense, which is itself a synonym of Erythrophleum suaveolens. The vernacular names for this plant listed on the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew website include 'Ordeal tree'.
Event Date 2/12/2022
Author: Katrina Dring
FM:300399
Images (Click to view full size):
