TUKULA BOX, KUBA, DRC.

L. 31.

Wear. Cracks due to dryness of the material.

Provenance

Peter von Busch Collection.

More information

Boxes such as these were for storing tukula--a reddish powder made from the bark of a tree. It was used for body and hair coloring and
used to ornament the face and chest during dances, as well as to anoint bodies for burial. Boxes as these were also used for rituals
objects. Some are in the shape of a mask. Tukula was considered a very expensive cosmetic and was treasured.

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