A kisanji

A kisanji
wood and iron lamellophone
carved decoration "Cauris"
Angolan - Tshokwe
20th C. (mid)
small cracks, minor defects, patine wear
purchased at Lumeje on 30-05-1970
Dimensões (altura x comprimento x largura) - 12 x 8,2 x 0,7 cm
Notes: Provenance: Collection of Engineer Elísio Romariz dos Santos Silva, item number 136, mentioned in the notebook of the collector «Angola - Arte Negra, Relação e descrição das peças», identified as «Quissanje Kakolondondo»: "Decoration: rectangle with 3 incisions on the contour with inside arcs of circumference forming a design inspired by the «Cauries», which in time served as currency. According to J. Redinha, the name of this kissanji derives from its crystalline sounds, such as the voices of girls. [...] Purchased at Lumeje on 30.5.70 [...]." Cf. Bibliography referred to by the collector - REDINHA, José - "Campanha Etnográfica ao Tchiboco (Alto-Tchicapa) - Anotações e Documentação gráfica", volume 2. In "Diamag - Publicações Culturais nº 19". Lisboa: Companhia de Diamantes de Angola - Serviços Culturais Dundo - Lunda - Angola - Museu do Dundo, 1955, p. 20, where it is mentioned that "Kisanjis or Hand Pianos - There are different types found in Tchiboco […] This fact is explained by the reason that the kissanjis are objects that travel far in the hands of walkers, who use their compass to make walking easier. It happens, from time to time, that they leave them at the most diverse points, exchanged for articles, given or sold." Other kisanjis are represented in DIAS, Jorge (direc.) - "Escultura Africana no Museu de Etnologia do Ultramar". Lisboa: Junta de Investigações do Ultramar, 1968, s/p, nº 158; in SANTOS, Soraia Ferreira (coord.) - "A Herança dos Povos do Sul de Angola". Lubango: Museu Regional da Huíla, 2018, p. 57, nºs inv. 2003.R.247 and 2002.R.252; in FELIX, Marc Leo. - "100 Peoples of Zaire and Their Sculpture: The Handbook”. Brussels: Zaire Basin Art History Research Foundation, 1987, p. 97, nº 15; and in BASTIN, Marie-Louise. "La sculpture Tshokwe”. Arcueil: Alain et Françoise Chaffin, 1982, p. 244, nº 167.