Figurines used in the Initiation Ceremonies of the Nguu of Tanganyika Territory

The following pages give some examples of the figurines used in the male initiation ceremonies of the Nguu, a tribe related to the larger and better-known Zigua of Tanganyika Territory. The Nguu, like the Zigua, practise circumcision. My own collection of figurines used in the initiation ceremonies of this tribe numbers eighty-seven; this is known to be only a small part of the total in use. The figures are made of clay, and vary in size from a few inches up to three feet in height. Beads, the bright red seed of Abrus Drecatorius , and coloured paper are used for decoration. This varies with individual taste and appears to have no symbolic significance.