Currency; ingot( Human-Made Object)
Attached files
Type
Image
Caption
Digital photograph of a copper ingot, museum number Af1924,1016.3, purchased by the British Museum from H Wallach in 1924. Photo: British Museum (nd)
File
Af1924,1016.3.png
Description
"Rod 'marali' currency; ingot. Cylindrical bar made of copper with projecting edge on one side." Measures 52.5cm (H) x 7.7cm (W) x 5.5cm (D) [Measurements taken from the British Museum online collections database]
"Most probably made by the Balemba.; The marali rods were used in earlier periods as bride-price for wives of chiefs, reportedly worth 10 cows. Later on they were worth two cows and three she-goats.; Ethnic name: Makatees not found. Possibly refering to Makati (Mokhathis), a place name in Lesotho."
"Most probably made by the Balemba.; The marali rods were used in earlier periods as bride-price for wives of chiefs, reportedly worth 10 cows. Later on they were worth two cows and three she-goats.; Ethnic name: Makatees not found. Possibly refering to Makati (Mokhathis), a place name in Lesotho."
Type
Human-Made Object
Held by
Identifiers
Chronology
[18-? or 19-?]-1924
Provenance
This ingot was found or acquired in Lesotho and was purchased by the British Museum from H Wallach in 1924
Makes connections with
Archival Status