TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:
    Lidded Milk Jug or Oil and Fat Container n
    20th century        

    These items have been treasured by their  owners.   Small
    splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina
    attesting to their age and extensive use.

    This cylindrical container held a yoghurty blend of milk and
    animal blood, the staple food of herdsman, oil and fat. Such
    jugs were treasured, mended when broken, and used for
    years. The interior would be sterilized by burning.

    They were known as Akarum among the Turkana and
    Samburu tribes. They look like gourds, but are actually
    wood, of unbelievable thinness. They are decorated with
    cow hide and have handle also made of leather.

Ethnic Group:
    Turkana Society
    Sambura Society

Country of Origin:  
    Kenya
Material:   
    Wood
    Leather
    Pigment

Dimensions:
    6 inches x 10 inches
        
Reference:                  
    Gunter Best, Marakwet & Turkana, New perspectives on the
    Material Culture of East African Societies, Museum fur
    Volkerkunde, Frankfurt, 1993, figs. 182, 185, and 189.