Medicine man's bag, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1870-1920

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Medicine man's bag, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1870-1920. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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This reliquary from the Ogowe River Basin in Gabon in Africa contains the bones and relics of a venerated ancestor who was said to be a much feared traditional healer – once referred to as a ‘medicine man’ – of the M’Boio tribe. At times of need a community might bring together all its reliquaries in the belief that their combined power would offer greater protection against an ongoing or expected danger, such as disease. maker: M'Boio Place made: Democratic Republic of Congo

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