Toposa clapper bell
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1979.20.202
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan]
Cultural Group:
Toposa
Date Made:
By 1980
Materials:
Iron Metal
Process:
Forged (Metal) , Hammered , Bent , Perforated
Dimensions:
Total L = 192; suspension loop diam = 49.2, W = 5.5; bell body L = 140, top W = 190, mouth W = 95, depth = 88, wall th = 2.5; clapper base diam = 14 x 15.2 mm [RTS 5/9/2005].
Weight:
> 1000 g
Other Owners:
This object was collected by Brian John Mack when working amongst the Toposa in the Southern Sudan in 1980. It appears to have been accessioned retrospectively as part of Patti Langton's collection later that year, using the same group number assigned to
Field Collector:
Brian John Mack (known as John Mack).
PRM Source:
Patti Langton
Acquired:
Purchased ?1979
Collected Date:
1980
Description:
Iron bell consisting of a broad body, formed from a rectangular sheet of iron, folded double over the top, then the sides pressed together and hammered shut with applied heat to close them.
These sides have been flattened, but the central part of the body has been pulled open to create a hollow almost cylindrical interior that is lentoid in plan view.
The upper part of the body has been perforated with 2 neat holes, and fitted with a large iron suspension loop made from a rod hammered into a circle with overlapping ends.
A smaller ring hangs from the base of this, inside the bell, and this in its turn provides a seat for the clapper.
The clapper consists of a thick iron rod, the tapering upper part of which has been hooked over the ring, then pushed back against the clapper body to close the loop.
The body is sub-square in section, with a flat base, and hangs down below the mouth of the bell.
2 semicircular openings have been cut into the lower edge of the bell body, at front and back, in line with the movement of the clapper.
The bell is complete, although there are some cracks in the body and suspension ring and the surface has rusted to a dark reddish brown colour (Pantone Black 4C).
It has a weight in excess of 1000 grams, and a total length of 192 mm.
The suspension loop has a diameter of 49.2 mm and is 5.5 mm wide; the bell body is 140 mm long, measures 190 mm across the top width, and has a mouth opening 95 by 88 mm in diameter; the walls are 2.5 mm thick; the clapper has a base diameter of 14 by 15.2 mm.
This object was collected by Brian John Mack when working amongst the Toposa in the Southern Sudan in 1980. It appears to have been accessioned retrospectively as part of Patti Langton's collection later that year, using the same group number assigned to material from her 1979 expedition, which Mack had been a part of. However his 1980 fieldwork appears to have been undertaken independently of Langton, although she was working amongst the nearby Boya at the same time (pers. comm. John Mack 8/10/2004).
This type of bell would have been hung around the necks of cattle. The Pitt Rivers Museum contains several bells of similar design from the Dinka (1934.8.14 and 1979.20.103) and Nuer (1931.66.28), as well as several of uncertain origin (1884.108.6-7, 1942.13.1020 and 1942.13.1022). Similar bells are also found in other cultures, such as the Ganda of Uganda; the Acholi also use this type as cow bells (M. Trowell & K.P. Wachsmann, 1953, Tribal Crafts of Uganda, pl. 77I; p. 327). None of these seem to have the semicircular 'cut-outs' at the mouth, as seen in this Toposa example, which is also larger and heavier than the others.
For general discussions of the Toposa, see Captain G.R. King in L.F. Nalder (ed.), 1937, A Tribal Survey of the Mongalla Province, pp 65-81 and A.C. Beaton, 1950, "Record of the Toposa Tribe", Sudan Notes and Records XXXI .
Rachael Sparks 19/9/2005.
This object was collected by Brian John Mack when working amongst the Toposa in the Southern Sudan in 1980. It appears to have been accessioned retrospectively as part of Patti Langton's collection later that year, using the same group number assigned to material from her 1979 expedition, which Mack had been a part of. However his 1980 fieldwork appears to have been undertaken independently of Langton, although she was working amongst the nearby Boya at the same time (pers. comm. John Mack 8/10/2004).
This type of bell would have been hung around the necks of cattle. The Pitt Rivers Museum contains several bells of similar design from the Dinka (1934.8.14 and 1979.20.103) and Nuer (1931.66.28), as well as several of uncertain origin (1884.108.6-7, 1942.13.1020 and 1942.13.1022). Similar bells are also found in other cultures, such as the Ganda of Uganda; the Acholi also use this type as cow bells (M. Trowell & K.P. Wachsmann, 1953, Tribal Crafts of Uganda, pl. 77I; p. 327). None of these seem to have the semicircular 'cut-outs' at the mouth, as seen in this Toposa example, which is also larger and heavier than the others.
For general discussions of the Toposa, see Captain G.R. King in L.F. Nalder (ed.), 1937, A Tribal Survey of the Mongalla Province, pp 65-81 and A.C. Beaton, 1950, "Record of the Toposa Tribe", Sudan Notes and Records XXXI .
Rachael Sparks 19/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[p.
185] - 1979.20 (.1 - 206) P[urchase] MISS PATTI LANGTON, DEPT.
of ETHNOLOGY & PREHISTORY, OXFORD.
Collection made by Patti Langton during the British Institute in East Africa's expedition to the Southern Sudan; Jan.
- April 1979.
The collection was made in three culture areas during the dry season.
The amount paid for each object is listed if the information is known.
In Jan.
1979 £1 is equivalent to 95 piastres (pt.) Sudanese.
This documentation is based largely upon Patti's own list of objects and her notes on these.
Sometimes objects included in the Pitt Rivers alottment of the collection do not appear on her list and have been added here.
See Related Documents file as well.
[p.
214] 1979.20.194 - SOUTHERN SUDAN TOPOSA Collected in 1980 and sent via John Mack, Mus.
of Mankind [p.
215] 1979.20.202 Black iron cowbell, perforated and with ring attached.
Long straight iron clapper.
L.
across top = 18.8 cm.
Additional Accession Book Entry [below accession number in red biro] - A6-F25-7.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - S. SUDAN TOPOSA. Iron cowbell. Coll. by P. Langton 1979.20.202 [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 1/9/2005].
Additional Accession Book Entry [below accession number in red biro] - A6-F25-7.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - S. SUDAN TOPOSA. Iron cowbell. Coll. by P. Langton 1979.20.202 [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 1/9/2005].
