Leather Sebe

A leather charm/amulet, or sebe/sebbeh: the Mende and Temne name for charm/amulet. It consisted of a rectangular leather box, decorated with plaited leather and grass, resembling Mandingo leatherwork. A loop is attached to each corner, and it is threaded onto a strap with a metal buckle. The British Museum catalogue notes that it was worn around the neck of a chief.

Further Information

• Type: Religious/ritual equipment, charms
• Object: Leather Sebe
• Materials: Leather, animal skin, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Mandingo
• Dimensions: 240mm [L] x 90mm [W]
• Production Date: Pre 1950
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: E. A. Bannerman-Phillips
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1950.44.8

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