M0003731: Cherokee scarification instrument
- Date:
- 28 November 1933
- Reference:
- WT/D/1/20/1/30/99
- Part of:
- Wellcome Trust Corporate Archive
- Archives and manuscripts
- Online
Collection contents
About this work
Also known as
Previous title, replaced May 2020: The scarifacation instruments, Indigenous American
Description
A reproduction of an illustration showing a scarifacation instrument from the Cherokee tribe called a K'anvga (as known as Kanuga). The instrument, often with seven points, is made of
wood and bone splinters, usually turkey, and was used for blood-letting for medicinal purposes. Cherokee people believe that the blood-letting practice is a highly elaborated rite and the process involves specialists that perform the operation and recite ceremonial prayers as well.
Publication/Creation
28 November 1933
Physical description
1 photograph glass plate negative; 8 x 11 cm
Notes
Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.
Terms of use
Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed storesBy appointment Manual request