Ostentatious and Ordinary: EAC Object Stories
Marianna Trecarichi
Metadata
Creator
Unknown
Date
Early 1900s
Culture
Unknown from East Africa, Rwanda during early 20th century
Medium
Carved Wood
Measurements
Unknown
Credit Line
Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House
Description
The object is a wooden footed bowl from Rwanda, Africa. The wooden bowl has markings and scratches on it. It also has carvings that are wrapped around the top half of the bowl. The bowl dates to the 20th century when it was brought to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in 1928. It’s important to study the biography of the object to better understand what tools are used for everyday life during this time in Rwanda. We research and discuss who made these types of bowls during this time with these researchers to scan for what the bowls were used for. Once we understand what the bowls are used for, it can be a look into life during this time. A traditional footed bowl that is dated from the earliest 20th century Rwanda, through researching this bowl we can understand more about the culture work and lifestyle during this period.
Fun Fact
A fun fact on my wooden bowl is that it was made by men in the community. While other bowls in the area during this time were made by women because they are ceramic. Wooden bowls were done by men woodworking, it was considered a traditional craft for men. Until the rise of Christian missionaries in the area influenced men in different ways that took time away from traditional crafts (like bowl making).
StoryMap
Listen & Learn
Description of footed wooden bowl in my own words linked below.
