Spinning Top
37-22-260A
From: Sierra Leone | Sherbro Island
Curatorial Section: African
Object Number | 37-22-260A |
Current Location | Collections Storage |
Culture | Sherbro |
Provenience | Sierra Leone | Sherbro Island |
Section | African |
Materials | Nuts | Wood |
Description | Ibel= palm nuts, yee= spinning. The body of the top is a palm kernel, to which is added a wooden handle, and a seed for a peg, stuck into holes by means of breadfruit gum. The top is set spinning by twirling the handle between the hands, then loosing it. Bets are made as to which top, spinning beside the other, will remain spinning after knocking the other over. The tops are [or were] also a means of divining. |
Length | 11 cm |
Credit Line | Expedition to Sierra Leone, West Africa; Henry Usher Hall, 1937 |
Other Number | 34 - Collector Number |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.