Bunjue

A bunjue is 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 31 bunches of brown nut rattles attached by cane pendants to a plaited fibre belt. Alldridge mentions Bunjue in The Sherbro and its Hinterland, 1901, page 244 and Figure. 67.

Further Information

• Type: Body adornment, jewellery, Musical instruments, Religious/ritual equipment, charms
• Object: Bunjue
• Materials: Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 371mm x 473mm x 84mm
• Production Date: Pre 1899
• Associated Places: Befuin [near Yandahun]
• Associated People: Thomas Joshua Alldridge (Collector)
• Museum: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
• Accession Number: BMAG:R3483/5

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