Bow with gourd bowl

Museum number:
5-6963a,b
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21056963a@2cb
Alternate number:
89 (original number)
Accession number:
Acc.2155
Description:
Native name: Uta wa mundu mue- bow of witch doctor Musical bow w/ gourd resonator; bow-stick tapered to points w/ wire string attached; gourd half w/ burnt design; bow length: 122cm; gourd diameter half 18cm Used by witch doctors when calling and communicating w/the spirits. The half of gourd is a sound box between the wood and the wire and a bent stick w/ string (small bow) is sawed against the wire. The ear of the player is placed close to the sound box during playing. Only witch doctors used the bows Made by witch doctor
Donor:
Ronald J. Clarke and University Appropriation
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Kenya; Ukambani; Kamba (Murdock...44:2)
Collector:
Ronald J. Clarke
Collection date:
1964
Object type:
(not specified)
Object class:
Bowls (vessels)
Function:
5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments
Accession date:
1966
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Loans:
S1974-1975 #4: University Art Museum (UC Berkeley) (July 19, 1974–February 7, 1975), S1974-1975 #67: Civic Arts Center (Walnut Creek) (February 5, 1975–May 7, 1975), and S1977-1978 #2: Music Library (UC Berkeley) (July 27, 1977–October 6, 1977)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 titled Bow with gourd bowl, accession number 5-6963a,b, described as Native name: Uta wa mundu mue- bow of witch doctor Musical bow w/ gourd resonator; bow-stick tapered to points w/ wire string attached; gourd half w/ burnt design; bow length: 122cm; gourd diameter half 18cm Used by witch doctors when calling and communicating w/the spirits. The half of gourd is a sound box between the wood and the wire and a bent stick w/ string (small bow) is sawed against the wire. The ear of the player is placed close to the sound box during playing. Only witch doctors used the bows Made by witch doctorHearst Museum object 2 of 2 titled Bow with gourd bowl, accession number 5-6963a,b, described as Native name: Uta wa mundu mue- bow of witch doctor Musical bow w/ gourd resonator; bow-stick tapered to points w/ wire string attached; gourd half w/ burnt design; bow length: 122cm; gourd diameter half 18cm Used by witch doctors when calling and communicating w/the spirits. The half of gourd is a sound box between the wood and the wire and a bent stick w/ string (small bow) is sawed against the wire. The ear of the player is placed close to the sound box during playing. Only witch doctors used the bows Made by witch doctor
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Bow with gourd bowl, accession number 5-6963a,b, described as Native name: Uta wa mundu mue- bow of witch doctor Musical bow w/ gourd resonator; bow-stick tapered to points w/ wire string attached; gourd half w/ burnt design; bow length: 122cm; gourd diameter half 18cm Used by witch doctors when calling and communicating w/the spirits. The half of gourd is a sound box between the wood and the wire and a bent stick w/ string (small bow) is sawed against the wire. The ear of the player is placed close to the sound box during playing. Only witch doctors used the bows Made by witch doctor

Tools