Bunjue

This is likely to be a bunjue; a musical Instrument worn around the waists of dancing girls, or Sampa, initiated into the Sande (Mende) or Bundu (Temne) society. The remaining elements of the costume include a raffia skirt, string vest, and crested cap. This example has bunches of cane rods, terminating in seed pods which rattle when worn; it was acquired by the British Museum in 1954.

Further Information

• Type: Body adornment, jewellery, Musical instruments, Religious/ritual equipment, charms
• Object: Bunjue
• Materials: Textile, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Other
• Dimensions: 980mm [W] x 185mm [L]
• Production Date: Pre 1954
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Wellcome Historical Medical Museum; Alldridge
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.1954.23.3702

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