carved dog
Kuba friction divination instrument of "wangey" wood in form of dog. Natural material (twined raffia strand) attached to dog and piece of wood.
- Object: carved dog
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: 8-1/2" long 1-1/2" high
- Culture Area: Africa Central Zaire
- Cultural Group: Kuba
- Cultural Context: Like the slit drum of the Yaka, friction divination tools, or friction oracles as they are sometimes called, are an integral piece of Yaka cultural tradition and practices. When being used for ritual purposes, these devices are referred to as Itoom or Itombwa “One type of Kuba divination requires that a smooth object, such a small stone, be rubbed across a wooden oracle while questions are asked. When the answer to the question is yes, the stone catches on the oracle, otherwise, the stone moves freely.”
- Donor: Dr. John D Spenst
- Catalog #: 84.036