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Nakiru and Akure making an atubwa bowl, an ebur oil/fat container and an akaloboch wooden spoon

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posted on 2023-11-30, 18:56 authored by Samuel DerbyshireSamuel Derbyshire
Nakiru works on an ebur, chipping its outer shape, when she is finished, Akure begins chiselling out its hollow interior. Nakiru then begins work on a large atubwa wooden bowl, used in Asapan ceremonies to contain and mix blood with milk, oil and (in more recent years) sugar. She hews its rough shape with a machete, then she works slowly chipping away its oyter layer. By the end of the day, the form of the atubwa is clear.

Funding

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

History

Session

C012

Rights owner

Samuel Frederick Derbyshire

Cultural group

Turkana

Participants

Lorot Ekaale

Country

Kenya

Place

Moru Sipo, Turkana

Item/object

ebur oil/fat container, akaloboch spoon

Techniques of production

Cut-chip-cut, Chiselled

Materials alt

Ekuruchanait

Social group setting

Craftspeople working together

Location

Home

Temporality

Work continues on the objects all day, from mid morning to dusk.

Date of creation

2021-07-09

Unique ID

2019LG02-C012-0807

Usage metrics

    Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

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