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Zither

Mwana Hiti Zither (pic 2)

Tanzania
Zaramo

Wood
ca. Mid-20th century

Length: 24 inches
Chordophone - Zither

"The figure on the top is believed to represent Mwana Hiti, an iconic figure of a number of peoples in Tanzania. Mwana Hiti figures are used as surrogate child/husband figures by girls during their ritual seclusion before initiation. Considered to be both male and female, they are given names of real or mythical ancestors, and are kept in special places in the hut, either on a special stool or in a little house. The name has many meanings, including "daughter of the throne," and "child of the initiation stool"...so it is common to have this image on a throne." Description from Africa Direct.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-CHZT-3-81