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Kayambi
Raft rattle made of two panels of split petiole of palm (Hyphaene compressa) bound together with thatching grass (Hyparrhenia), and containing small seeds inside for rattling effect (mixed Leucaena leucocephala and Abrus precatorius). This instrument was sent to Kew for testing toxicity suitability for marketing, and was deemed unsuitable for sale due to the poisonous Abrus precatorius seeds inside, commonly known as "rosary peas" or "precatory beans." Despite the hazard, these small and hard seeds of bright red and black color were much sought to be used in jewelry, including rosaries. The word precatory comes straight from the Latin precatio, prayer.
- Date:
1990–1998 - Maker:
- Collection:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Inventory number:
Loading... - Place of production:
Kenya - Hornbostel-Sachs classification:112.12 Frame rattles
- Culture:
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- Inscriptions:
- Hornbostel-Sachs category:112.12 Frame rattles
- Repository:Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Measurements:Length: 410mm. Width: 195mm