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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