Sceptre

80-10-2

From: Panama | Mamimulo

Curatorial Section: American

Object Number 80-10-2
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Cuna
Provenience Panama | Mamimulo
Culture Area Central American
Section American
Materials Wood
Description

The orsuala is a symbol of each particular office held in the village congresso. Each officeholder carves his own orsula. There is not set design for each office, although some basic similarities may be seen from island to island. Some are very ornate, while other may be very simple. They are usually made from the heavier woods found on the mainland, whereas the tourist reproductions are generally made from balsa wood. When a man is on official businees he will carry the orsula in front of him, thereby notifying all that he is representing the village congresso and not simply himself.

Wooden staff with a cone shaped object at one end. cone is carved into two section with bottom painted yellow and top painted black. An l shaped piece (representing a bird) painted red, black and yellow is on top of the cone. "Fictor" is printed in black on the staff.

Length 89 cm
Width 7.5 cm
Credit Line Gift of Thomas K. Brewer, 1980

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