| Description |
Young boys' flat oval shield carved to shape from single piece of baobab wood; Large perforated hand grip (?) extends out from one end on reverse face; Lozenge-shaped perforation is carved in center of shield; Narrow ridge is carved in low relief along edge and down center on front of shield; Ridge is painted with rust-brown pigment and remaining surface is painted white; Reverse of shield is carved with low relief ridge down center, flanked by crescent bands of contiguous triangles; The bands are painted alternately rust brown or black, all on white background; Hand grip area is not painted; This type of shield is worn by a junior warrior during his initiation rite. |
