Cleveland Museum of Art

Prestige Staff

Date

1800s–1900s

Medium

Wood

Culture

Africa, Southern Africa, South Africa, Tsonga-style or Zulu-style maker

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The primary use of long staffs like this was purely practical; they served as walking companions when their pastoralist-owners covered long distances accompanying their cattle in search of new pastures. The tall height of this staff indicates the elevated status or special function of the man who owned it. Carved from one piece of wood, its spherical knob finial and the geometric designs incorporated into its shaft decoration—consisting of spiraling segments and chain links—demonstrate its maker’s superior skills. Tsonga and Zulu staffs all have strong symbolic associations and value. They visually connect the identity of their owners with that of their ancestors and with that of the community to which they belong.

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