Toposa pellet bells
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1979.20.204
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan]
Cultural Group:
Toposa
Date Made:
By 1980
Materials:
Iron Metal , Animal Hide Skin , Bead
Process:
Forged (Metal) , Hammered , Bent , Perforated , Strung , Tied
Dimensions:
Hide loop internal diam = 80, W = 7.6, th = 1 mm. Small bell L = 23.5, W = 32.4, depth = 20; second bell, L = 27.5, W = 69, depth = 35.5; third bell L = 24.5, W = 67.5, depth = 27.5 mm [RTS 6/9/2005].
Weight:
122.8 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:
Narrow rectangular strip of yellowish brown animal hide (Pantone 729C), bent into a loop with the ends knotted together and still pliant.
A set of 3 iron pellet bells have been threaded along its length.
Each bell has been formed from an oval piece of sheet iron, doubled over at the centre with the ends left slightly apart to create a narrow slit running along the lower edge.
This produces a bell with a semicircular or crescentic body, and a lentoid plan view.
There is one small example, 23.5 mm long, 32.4 mm wide and 20 mm thick, and 2 larger versions, measuring 27.5 by 69 by 35.5 mm, and 24.5 by 67.5 by 27.5 mm respectively.
The top of each bell has been perforated with a pair of holes.
The holes on the small bell have smooth edges with signs of wear.
The holes on the larger bells have been punched through from the sheet underside, leaving a raised rim around their edges.
Each bell has a single pellet trapped inside the body.
The pellet inside the small bell has a smooth gray surface and is probably made of iron.
One of the larger bells has a spherical iron pellet with a depression or void in one end, while the remaining bell has what appears to be an iron cylindrical bead inside.
The object is complete and intact, while the iron is still a metallic silver colour with little surface rust (Pantone 877C).
It has a total weight of 122.8 grams, and the hide loop has an internal diameter of 80 mm, and is 7.6 mm wide and 1 mm thick.
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 object was probably meant to be worn around the arm or leg, and may have been a dance accessory. For another group of Toposa bells, see 1979.2.203. Similar loops of bells are also found in other cultures, including the Lotuko (1934.8.82), Madi and Ganda of Uganda (M. Trowell & K.P. Wachsmann, 1953, Tribal Crafts of Uganda, pl. 75D, F-H). These can be spherical or crescent-shaped, and have various functions, being tied around the legs of toddlers, perhaps as a protection against evil spirits, and worn by witch doctors, magicians and brides (pp 324-5). Crescent-shaped pellet bells are also used by the Zande, in conjunction with wooden handles (see 1930.86.60.1-2 and 1931.66.4-5).
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 object was probably meant to be worn around the arm or leg, and may have been a dance accessory. For another group of Toposa bells, see 1979.2.203. Similar loops of bells are also found in other cultures, including the Lotuko (1934.8.82), Madi and Ganda of Uganda (M. Trowell & K.P. Wachsmann, 1953, Tribal Crafts of Uganda, pl. 75D, F-H). These can be spherical or crescent-shaped, and have various functions, being tied around the legs of toddlers, perhaps as a protection against evil spirits, and worn by witch doctors, magicians and brides (pp 324-5). Crescent-shaped pellet bells are also used by the Zande, in conjunction with wooden handles (see 1930.86.60.1-2 and 1931.66.4-5).
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] 1979.20.204 [.1 - 3] Three iron bells, two of a long pointed shape, on leather string.
Additional Accession Book Entry [below accession number in red biro] - A6-F25-9.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - S. SUDAN TOPOSA. Set of 3 iron bells. Coll. by Pat Langton 1979.20.204 [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 1/9/2005].
Additional Accession Book Entry [below accession number in red biro] - A6-F25-9.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - S. SUDAN TOPOSA. Set of 3 iron bells. Coll. by Pat Langton 1979.20.204 [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 1/9/2005].
