Prayer stick

Museum number:
5-4631
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21050004631
Accession number:
Acc.2078
Description:
Iron prayer stick head; T-shaped. Head of stick used as a crutch while resting during long prayer services; used by Christian priests; silver and Christian religious metal work in Gondar done by Christian and Moslem Amhara; also used (with stick) to beat floor during chanting. Gondar former capital (1632-1855) and center of sliver work.
Donor:
Frederick C. Gamst and University Appropriation
Collection place:
Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Culture or time period:
Amhara
Collector:
Frederick C. Gamst
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1966
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Loans:
S1968-1969 #2: KQED Television (July 8, 1968–July 12, 1968)
Images:
Hearst Museum object titled Prayer stick, accession number 5-4631, described as Iron prayer stick head; T-shaped. Head of stick used as a crutch while resting during long prayer services; used by Christian priests; silver and Christian religious metal work in Gondar done by Christian and Moslem Amhara; also used (with stick) to beat floor during chanting. Gondar former capital (1632-1855) and center of sliver work.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Prayer stick, accession number 5-4631, described as Iron prayer stick head; T-shaped. Head of stick used as a crutch while resting during long prayer services; used by Christian priests; silver and Christian religious metal work in Gondar done by Christian and Moslem Amhara; also used (with stick) to beat floor during chanting. Gondar former capital (1632-1855) and center of sliver work.

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