. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. SOME NGUNI CRAFTS: WOOD-CARVING 277 The Manala umthombothi necklet, consisting of short pieces of tamboti wood strung together, might be made by a youth for the girl he was courting (Van Warmelo 1930: 35). The Ndzundza mtamboti necklet was different and consisted of flat pieces of wood, usually rectangular (SAM-10149, Groblersdal, 1972; NASKO 68/80, Groblersdal, 1968) but sometimes triangular (Groblersdal, 1967), with short projections for attachment to the cord. The tablets were about 8 cm long and
. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. SOME NGUNI CRAFTS: WOOD-CARVING 277 The Manala umthombothi necklet, consisting of short pieces of tamboti wood strung together, might be made by a youth for the girl he was courting (Van Warmelo 1930: 35). The Ndzundza mtamboti necklet was different and consisted of flat pieces of wood, usually rectangular (SAM-10149, Groblersdal, 1972; NASKO 68/80, Groblersdal, 1968) but sometimes triangular (Groblersdal, 1967), with short projections for attachment to the cord. The tablets were about 8 cm long and 5 cm wide (SAM-10149, Groblersdal, 1972; NASKO 68/80, Groblerdsal, 1968). They were decorated on one face with carved geometric designs (Weiss 1963: 59; Tyrrell 1968: 89) (SAM-10149, Groblersdal, 1972) (Fig. 90) and latterly also with buttons and strips of plastic (NASKO 68/80, Groblersdal, 1968). Five to eight pieces were strung together. Nowadays beads, coins and other objects may be added (Weiss 1963: 58, 59). They were made from the wood from which they take their name, umtho- mbothi {Spirostachys africana (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962: 1325)) (Weiss 1963: 59) (Groblersdal, 1967; SAM-10149, Groblersdal, 1972; NASKO 68/80, Groblersdal, 1968). This tree is found in certain areas only, and the mtamboti tablets were carved by speciaUsts in these areas (Weiss 1963: 59). A set, usually of eight pieces, was bought from the maker and was strung by the buyer (Weiss 1963: 59). The necklet was worn as part of festive dress by all ages and both sexes (Weiss 1963: 59) (NASKO 68/80, Groblersdal, 1968). The necklet was also described as an amulet to drive away evil dreams (Weiss 1963: 75). A necklace of even-length pegs made of wood with medicinal properties was worn by diviners (Tyrrell 1968: 88, 89).. Fig. 90. Ndzundza tambuti-wood necklet, Groblersdal, 1972, Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for re
Size: 2562px × 976px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
