IDNO

P.50775.RDG

Description

Group of four amulets as neck ornaments, labelled 1, 2, 4, and 3 clockwise from upper left hand corner.
Neck ornament labelled “1” is the Sanctuary of the Lubare (deity) during campaigns when visiting a sick person. It consists of a small buffalo horn encased in leather, with a perforation at the base, to which is attached a plaited loop of fur-covered thongs. made from a thick plaited leather band, with the hide of the animal still attached on the outermost side. A large polished curving horn shaped object at attached at the bottom of the band by two decorated bands. The object tapers to a point from right to left, with the left hand part of the ornament shaped to a blunt cone.
Neck ornament labelled “2” is made from a thick plaited leather band with the hide of the animal on the outermost side. A brown leather covered crescent fetish is attached to the bottom of the band.
Fetish labelled “3” is two similar globular objects encased in hide with a leopard’s tooth (?warthog or ?pigs tusk) projecting from one end of each. A loop of twisted fibre rope is attached. There is a circular perforation in base of each.
Fetish labelled “4” is a “Lubare Mukasa’s cow charm used to secure protection of Mukasa against lightening striking cattle” and has two parts. Firstly, a crescent shaped leather covered with outer covering of woven or ?retied string. Secondly is a circular, leather covered, inset with teeth (canine) with holes inlet whence teeth have been lost.

Place

E Africa; Uganda [?British East Africa]

Cultural Affliation

Baganda

Named Person

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

Roscoe, John R. [Object collector]; Katikiro of Uganda [Object donor]

Date

circa 1903

Collection Name

Ridgeway CollectionMuseum Objects and Galleries

Source

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

This print was an envelope now marked C219/, which was found in the wooden drawer I.

Related Object: Amulet ‘1’ is probably E 1903.468 with description: “Sanctuary of the Lubare (deity) during campaigns, when visiting a sick person etc. It consists of a small buffalo horn encased in leather, with a perforation at the base, to which is attached a plaited loop of fur-covered thongs. When not being moved for such purposes as above, its resting place is a sacred hut. Presented by Katikiro of Uganda per J.R. cf. A.R, 1904, p. 579.”

Related Object: Amulet ‘2’ is probably E.1903.470 with the description:
“Small light brown leather covered crescent shaped fetish. It has a circular lateral perforation on one side. In centre of concave side is a small loop, through which passes a long plaited rawhide loop. Presented by Katikeric of Uganda per J.R. Roscoe - The Baganda fig. 45, p.280. cf. A.R, 1904, p.13, 581.”

Related Object: Amulet ‘3’ is probably E.1903.480 with the description:
“Fetish: two similar globular objects encased in hide with a leopard’s tooth (?warthog or ?pigs tusk) projecting from one end of each. A loop of twisted fibre rope is attached. There is a circular perforation in base of each. Presented by Katikiro of Uganda per J.R. cf. A.R, 1904, p.13, 591.”

Related Object: Amulet ‘4’ is probably E.1903.473 with the description:
“Fetishes on fibre cord. 1) Crescent shaped leather covered with outer covering of woven or ?retied string. 2) Circular, leather covered, inset with teeth (canine) with holes inlet whence teeth have been lost.
A loose label on the specimen says, “The Lubare Mukasa’s cow charm used to secure protection of Mukasa against lightening striking cattle”. Presented by Katikiro of Uganda per J.R. cf. A.R, 1904, p.13, 584.”

Source: Katikiro of Uganda, representing Uganda at King Edward VII’s coronation, presented objects E 1903.466-480A, through Rev. J.Roscoe C.M.S., ?Canon J.Roscoe. [JD 21/6/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [JD 2/7/2007]