Tongo Players Charm

This is a tortoise shell, containing magical substances, herbs, or medicines. It is thought to have been used by the Tongo Players, a name given to a group of professional witch finders who were called in to investigate and detect members of the Leopard Society, blamed for a series of murders in Imperri chiefdom in the early 1890s. All Tongo activity was later banned by the British Colonial Government. The original catalogue entry from World Museum Liverpool reads medicine to make the man who is going to strike the criminal not afraid. Puts (it) to his heart before he strikes.

Further Information

  • Type: Religious/ritual equipment, charms
  • Object: Tongo Players Charm
  • Materials: Bone, ivory, tooth, No Data / Other
  • Culture Group: Mende
  • Dimensions: 120mm
  • Production Date: Pre 1910
  • Associated Places: Sierra Leone: Sherbro District (Created and collected)
  • Associated People: L. Probyn (Donor); G. W. Page (Collector)
  • Museum: World Museum Liverpool Sierra Leone Collection
  • Accession Number: LIVCM.17.12.10.46

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