Accession Number2000/2.46
TitleBracelet
Artist(s)Object Creation Datecirca 1890-1920Medium & SupportbrassDimensions 1 3/4 in x 2 9/16 in (4.45 cm x 6.51 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James and Vivian CurtisSubject matterThis object is listed as made by Kirdi peoples; while most likely correct, it is not without issue. “Kirdi”, meaning pagan, was the label given to the various peoples from northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, and southern Chad by neighboring Fulani and Kanuri peoples because they did not practice Islam, while the latter do. The people collectively known as “Kirdi” are actually many different cultural groups with their own customs. However, due to a lack of information on where exactly this object came from, it is not possible to say with certainty which group of people created it.
Along with belts decorated with brass beads or rings, Kirdi women also wore brass jewelry. From a young age, girls made jewelry from natural products such as raffia until they were older, at which time they began to wear metal jewelry, usually brass. It was often passed from mother to daughter and more jewelry acted as symbol of wealth and status.
References Cited:
Gebauer, Paul. 1979.
Art of Cameroon. Portland, Or.: Portland Art Museum.
Lembezat, Bertrand. 1961.
Les populations païennes du Nord-Cameroun et de l'Adamaoua. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Lembezat, Bertrand. 1952.
Mukulehe; un clan montagnard du Nord-Cameroun; coutumes, rites, croyances. Paris: Berger-Levrault.
Northern, Tamara. 1984.
The Art of Cameroon. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Page, Donna. 2007.
A Cameroon World. New York: QCC Art Gallery Press.
Physical DescriptionA large brass bracelet with a central spiral surrounded by small raised circles. The rest of the bracelet is decorated with alternating rows of straight and diagonal lines. There is a small piece broken off near the top right side.
Primary Object Classification Jewelry Primary Object TypebraceletCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
bracelets
ceremonial costume
costume accessories
social status
symbols of office or status
wealth
women (female humans)