Chokwe Whistle circa 1900   Congo - DRC     Click thumbnails to view a larger image. . Purchased through an English auction house.   Whistles such as this were used by men while hunting. The carved face is that of Mwana Pwo, who is often seen in related court art. Her coiffure indicates 19th century origin.   *

 

African Rattles   Anklets   Bushman - San - Swazi - Venda - Chokwe   Click pictures to view a larger image.   Southern African cultures collect cocoons after the moths have emerged. They are then partly filled with small stones and stitched onto fiber or leather. This anklet is from Southern African with probable origins being Swazi, Venda or Zulu peoples. The Swazi, Venda and Zulu's utilize Argema mimosae cocoons to make their anklets, whereas the San or Bushmen used Gonometa cocoons called xododzi. We are unable to identify this cocoon species, but can confirm they are not strung together in the double cord San - Bushman manner.     Chokwe - Luchazi - Mbunda - Luvale   Click pictures to view a larger image. This pair of anklets were made from the dried fruit of the oncoba spinosa tree. Snuff bottles, hand rattles and tinderbox containers were also made from the fruit called by some - Daza.  One half of the pair has three lines of fruit while the other remains with two.                  Barbara Tyrrell - Pete Jurgans - Western Zamibia - 1949     Manuel Jordan - Marc Leo Felix - Makishi Lya Zambia   Costumes representing ancestors were danced at Chokwe (and related peoples) boys circumcision celebrations called Mukanda. Anklets  made of the Daza fruit were worn on the lower legs.   *

Makonde Drum   Mozambique - Tanzania     This tall slender drum has a well used leather surface which retains it's great tone.             It has exciting aluminum (aluminum) repairs at the base. Even the nails are aluminum.   *

african musical instrument african stringed instrument Ken Karner artefact vintage artifacts artifact antique artefacts south african artifact southern africa southern african