A blackened wooden vessel bound with leather, known as an akurum by the Turkana people of northern Kenya. The Turkana are semi-nomadic pastoralists, raising zebu cattle, camels and goats. The akurum is an essential household possession, used to carry milk.
Although the vessel looks like it's made from a calabash gourd, the body is actually carved from wood. The neck is fashioned from a strip of leather, sewn onto the bowl. Fitted over the neck is a tall cup, known as an ibole. Traditionally, a Turkana man will drink one ibole of milk each morning and evening. The akurum is finished with a carrying loop of braided hide. There is a carefully-sewn "bush repair" of a crack down one side.
Truly, a wonderful artifact, rich in character and history!
A blackened wooden vessel bound with leather, known as an akurum by the Turkana people of northern Kenya. The Turkana are semi-nomadic pastoralists, raising zebu cattle, camels and goats. The akurum is an essential household possession, used to carry milk.
Although the vessel looks like it's made from a calabash gourd, the body is actually carved from wood. The neck is fashioned from a strip of leather, sewn onto the bowl. Fitted over the neck is a tall cup, known as an ibole. Traditionally, a Turkana man will drink one ibole of milk each morning and evening. The akurum is finished with a carrying loop of braided hide. There is a carefully-sewn "bush repair" of a crack down one side.
Truly, a wonderful artifact, rich in character and history!
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