Gourd

This is a dried gourd. It may have been part of a segbureh or seghura, a Mende percussion instrument consisting of a small calabash or gourd, surrounded by a string net, strung with small pieces of shell, or nut shell. The gourd is held by the neck in one hand, whilst the other hand pulls the net, causing the shells to clash against the sides of the gourd. It is traditionally used exclusively by women. This example is clearly missing the beaded net.

Further Information

• Type: Musical instruments
• Object: Gourd
• Materials: Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Mende
• Dimensions: 270mm [H]
• Production Date: Pre 2010
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Unknown
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.2010.031.01

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