Native name: Kithitu Oathing objec; stick or magical wood w/ red-orange glass bead stuck on end w/mastic; and conical black mastic material wrapped in braided twine w/ red and blue beads stuck on top and fibre hair through bottom; stick length: 26.5cm; object height: 11cm, diameter 4.5cm Materials: stick beads, fibre. "Secret formula but may contain a variety of materials, some ordinary and some disgusting. "RJC Used when there is a dispute between two or more people who can pay the owner for its use. The stick is tapped on the object a number of times by the Oath taker as he swears an oath. Note: "This one was made in 1914 and sole to me in 1965 for 40 East African shillings. It is reputed to have killed two men because they told lies over it." RJC... and "Men who have died under the influence of this Kithitu are: Kyalo Mbai, Mutua Mwithi and Ngila Ngui" Made by men who have magical powers; This one by Mukela of Kitui
Donor:
Ronald J. Clarke and University Appropriation
Collection place:
Ukambani, Kenya
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Kenya; Ukambani; Kamba (Murdock...44:2)
Collector:
Ronald J. Clarke
Collection date:
1965
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Production date:
1914
Accession date:
1966
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Loans:
S1974-1975 #96: Department of Anthropology (UC Berkeley)/Larry Michalak (May 5, 1975–May 9, 1975)