description: Contains:Content: Herold sends a drawing of a drum with human skulls from Togo, which are only in the possession of the tribal chieftains and only hung with skulls of enemies killed in the war, mostly Aschanti. Reference to Ashanti War (1869-1874) as the last great slave hunt, therefore skulls date mainly from this time. Peace was only disturbed by the Tafieve War of 1888. Reference to Chief Kwadjo De from Peki, who had made trophies in this war. Similar drums at chiefs of Ho and Nkonya. Indication that decayed skulls are not replaced, which he sees as proof of the object's function as a fetish object. Drums are so highly regarded that only war or chance would bring them into the hands of Euopaeans. Suggestion that Dr. Gruner (Misahöhe) or Missionar Fies (Ho) should buy or photograph the drum of the Ho King Ho-Owosu. Description of the drum and how to use it. Request if MV is already in possession of a loom from Togo, which he might give as a present. (Sketches, pp. 206, 207) Letters: 2
Gruner, Hans
E 387/1894
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1894-01-01 - 1894-12-31
Part of Ethnological Museum, National Museums in Berlin