Nuer carrying gourds
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1932.30.3 .1 .2 .3
Country:
Sudan
Cultural Group:
Nuer
Date Made:
By 1931
Materials:
Gourd Plant , Grass Fibre Plant , Wood Plant
Process:
Hollowed , Dried , Decorated , Pyroengraved Pokerwork , Plaited , Tied
Dimensions:
[.1] Ht = 192, rim diam = 50, max body diam = 197 mm; [.2] Ht = 148 mm, rim diam= 52 x 51, max diam = 162 mm; [.3] W = 8, th = 5 mm [RTS 16/8/2005].
Weight:
[.1-.3] 241.3, [.1] 124.3, [.2] 89.8 g.
Field Collector:
Charles Armine Willis
PRM Source:
Charles Armine Willis
Acquired:
Donated 1932
Collected Date:
1931
Description:
A pair of gourd vessels linked together by a cord, used for carrying small objects and 'emergency rations'.
This consists of a large gourd [.1], with narrow holemouth opening at the tip and ovoid body with slightly flattened base with concave underside.
The surface of the vessel has traces of an outer yellow skin (Pantone 7509C), but is largely an orange colour (Pantone 730C).
The inside edge of the mouth has been burnt black, and the exterior decorated with a series of designs burnt in using heated tools.
This consists of 2 thick bands that run vertically down either side of the body, from the rim to the centre of the base, cutting across 3 horizontal bands of similar width that run around the body.
There are also a series of shallow lines radiating out from the mouth, and 2 vertical columns of stacked ^-shaped chevrons that run from the rim down over the shoulder.
The gourd is complete and intact, with a weight of 124.3 grams, height of 192 mm, rim diameter of 50 mm and maximum body diameter of 197 mm.
The second gourd is smaller [.2], and has a narrow opening at the top, with the inside edge of the rim cut at a slight angle; there is a very slight neck below, then a globular body with convex base, becoming concave at its centre. The surface of the vessel has traces of its yellow outer skin around the lower body (Pantone 7508C), but most of the vessel is a darker orange colour (Pantone 4635C) of the layer below, except around the underside of the base where this surface has also been removed, exposing a lighter orange below (Pantone 7510C). The rim has been burnt black, and the body decorated with a pyroengraved design, made of a series of bands around the circumference (Pantone Black 7C). These consist of a band of vertical hatching next to a solid black band around the upper shoulder, then a band of >-shaped chevrons below, and a second thick black band that sits around the widest point of the vessel. These bands are of irregular widths, and unevenly applied. This gourd is complete and intact, with an individual weight of 89.8 grams, a height of 148 mm, rim diameter of 52 by 51 mm and maximum diameter of 162 mm.
The cord [.3] has been made from 2 strands of yellow grass fibre, plaited together (Pantone 7508C). Each end of the cord has been knotted around a short length of roughly cut wood with some of the surface bark still present, fitted inside the mouth of the vessel where it rests as a horizontal anchor, with the cord extending between as a carrying strap. This cord has been knotted at its centre, leaving a short loop extending above the knot. The cord is in excellent condition, with a width of 8 mm and is 5 mm thick. The 2 gourds and cord have a combined weight of 241.3 grams.
Collected by Charles Armine Willis from the Western Nuer in 1931, this pair of gourds was used for carrying about small objects or an 'emergency ration'. Their style of decoration is similar to that found on a series of Dinka Tuich vessels - see 1979.20.52 (with a chevron band), 1979.20.53 and 1979.20.55 (with solid bands scorched black). Other Nuer gourd vessels in the museum collection vessels collected by Evans-Pritchard were undecorated (i.e.: 1936.10.32-37); this may be a regional difference.
Rachael Sparks 17/8/2005.
The second gourd is smaller [.2], and has a narrow opening at the top, with the inside edge of the rim cut at a slight angle; there is a very slight neck below, then a globular body with convex base, becoming concave at its centre. The surface of the vessel has traces of its yellow outer skin around the lower body (Pantone 7508C), but most of the vessel is a darker orange colour (Pantone 4635C) of the layer below, except around the underside of the base where this surface has also been removed, exposing a lighter orange below (Pantone 7510C). The rim has been burnt black, and the body decorated with a pyroengraved design, made of a series of bands around the circumference (Pantone Black 7C). These consist of a band of vertical hatching next to a solid black band around the upper shoulder, then a band of >-shaped chevrons below, and a second thick black band that sits around the widest point of the vessel. These bands are of irregular widths, and unevenly applied. This gourd is complete and intact, with an individual weight of 89.8 grams, a height of 148 mm, rim diameter of 52 by 51 mm and maximum diameter of 162 mm.
The cord [.3] has been made from 2 strands of yellow grass fibre, plaited together (Pantone 7508C). Each end of the cord has been knotted around a short length of roughly cut wood with some of the surface bark still present, fitted inside the mouth of the vessel where it rests as a horizontal anchor, with the cord extending between as a carrying strap. This cord has been knotted at its centre, leaving a short loop extending above the knot. The cord is in excellent condition, with a width of 8 mm and is 5 mm thick. The 2 gourds and cord have a combined weight of 241.3 grams.
Collected by Charles Armine Willis from the Western Nuer in 1931, this pair of gourds was used for carrying about small objects or an 'emergency ration'. Their style of decoration is similar to that found on a series of Dinka Tuich vessels - see 1979.20.52 (with a chevron band), 1979.20.53 and 1979.20.55 (with solid bands scorched black). Other Nuer gourd vessels in the museum collection vessels collected by Evans-Pritchard were undecorated (i.e.: 1936.10.32-37); this may be a regional difference.
Rachael Sparks 17/8/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[p.
72] 1932 [insert, in pencil] 30 [end insert]
C.
ARMINE WILLIS,
Esq.
- Specimens collected by himself in the EASTERN SUDAN, viz.
[insert, in pencil] 3 [end insert] - Pair of gourds connected by a cord, used for carrying about small objects, emergency ration, etc.
same data [NUER tribe, WESTERN KORDOFAN, 1931]
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - AFRICA, Sudan. Western NUER. Pair of gourds connected by grass cord. Coll. C.A. Willis 1931. 19320.30.3.1-3 [plastic coated label, tied to object; RTS 16/8/2005].
Written on object - Pair of gourds with carrying cord for carrying food, etc. Western NUER, E. SUDAN. Colld. 1931 and prest. 1932 by C.A. Willis [RTS 16/8/2005].
Related Documents File - This item appears on typewritten list RDF 1932.30.1-15, under list item 5: 'Two gourds, used by the Nuer. As the Nuer do not wear clothes, they have to find a substitute for pockets, and they will carry an emergency ration in these gourds. Collected in 1931. [insert] (Western Nuer) [end insert]'.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - AFRICA, Sudan. Western NUER. Pair of gourds connected by grass cord. Coll. C.A. Willis 1931. 19320.30.3.1-3 [plastic coated label, tied to object; RTS 16/8/2005].
Written on object - Pair of gourds with carrying cord for carrying food, etc. Western NUER, E. SUDAN. Colld. 1931 and prest. 1932 by C.A. Willis [RTS 16/8/2005].
Related Documents File - This item appears on typewritten list RDF 1932.30.1-15, under list item 5: 'Two gourds, used by the Nuer. As the Nuer do not wear clothes, they have to find a substitute for pockets, and they will carry an emergency ration in these gourds. Collected in 1931. [insert] (Western Nuer) [end insert]'.
