Karamojong Iron Comb – Uganda

1960′. The piece is cm. 12,0 high (4.72″). Grams 28,2 (0.99 oz.)

These fine iron combs are used by Karamojong warriors.

Karamojong Tribe

The Karamojong or Karimojong are an ethnic group of agro-pastoral herders living mainly in the southern part of the region in the north-east of Uganda. The name Karamojong derived from phrase “ekar ngimojong”, meaning “the old men can walk no farther”. According to tradition, the peoples now known as the Karamojong Cluster or Teso Cluster are said to have migrated from Abyssinia between the 1600 and 1700 AD as a single group.

The dominant feature of Karamojong society is their age system, which is strictly based on generation. The Karamojong system is flexible enough to contain a build-up of tension between generations over a cycle of 50 years or so. When this can no longer be resolved peacefully, the breakdown in order leads to a switch in power from the ruling generation to their successors and a new status quo.

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