message mnemonic.device

Eight cowrie shells strung together (six back to back, two face to face) and a feather on a knotted cord, which together form a 'message'. Translated as: 'I keep my ears open to hear from you. Though a long journey yet I hope and should like to see or hear from you.'

Late: 1901

Africa Nigeria Lagos

MacGregor, William Sir

Yoruba ?

shell cowrie.shell feathers vegetable.fibre

MacGregor, William Sir

This type of object was used in southern Nigeria to send messages over long distances. This example was given to MacGregor in 1901. It can be roughly translated as follows: Six cowrie shells tied back to back - 'My whole attention is fixed on you' Two cowrie shells tied face to face - 'Your attention is not fixed on me' Feather (Tickling the ear) - 'Expecting to hear from you' String - 'The Distance between us causes delay in sending me a reply' Knot on String - 'What we have spoken is kept a secret'.

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