Akarum Wooden Milk Container – Turkana – Kenya – Old Indigenous Repair – 28 cm Origin: Kenya People: Turkana Type: Traditional milk container, akarum, with detachable drinking cup Materials: Carved wood, leather, hide bindings, pigments Dimensions: Height 28 cm Period: Presumably mid-20th century Provenance: Personally collected in Kenya by the present owner in the early 1990s Display support: Not included A particularly attractive traditional akarum milk container from the Turkana people of northern Kenya, distinguished by its beautifully balanced proportions, rich reddish-brown and black patina, and remarkably expressive old leatherwork. Standing 28 cm high, this example possesses a compact, generously rounded silhouette, combining a broad, almost spherical lower vessel with a cylindrical neck and a detachable upper cup. The container is carved from wood and displays a striking arrangement of deep reddish-brown and black areas, softened by prolonged handling and use. The surface possesses a wonderfully mellow patina, with subtle variations in colour, polished areas and traces of its long practical history. The detachable upper element is particularly elegant. Its gently flaring shape allows it to function as a drinking cup, while a leather sleeve attached to the lower vessel helps secure the two sections together. Several substantial leather straps reinforce the body and provide a means of hanging or carrying the container. These aged bindings, with their irregular knots, loose ends and beautifully weathered surfaces, form an integral part of the object's visual character. An especially interesting feature is a small old indigenous repair on the rounded body. A damaged area was carefully repaired using perforations and stitching, demonstrating the care devoted to preserving this valued everyday utensil. The contrast between the softly rounded wooden volumes, the powerful red-and-black coloration and the rough, naturally aged leatherwork gives this akarum an almost sculptural presence. A fine example of Turkana functional art, combining simplicity, technical ingenuity and remarkable aesthetic sensitivity. Cultural context Among the Turkana pastoral communities of northern Kenya, the akarum is one of the most distinctive traditional wooden milk containers. These vessels were traditionally carved and used by women, who developed highly refined forms using locally available materials and relatively simple tools. The rounded lower body was hollowed by hand, while the detachable upper section served both as a stopper and as a drinking cup. Leather joints and bindings secured the two elements together, while additional straps enabled the vessel to be suspended inside temporary dwellings or attached to pack animals during seasonal movements. The surface treatment of these containers varied according to regional traditions. On the western side of Lake Turkana, wooden vessels were often darkened with soot and polished using animal fat, producing a deep black sheen. On the eastern side, red ochre decoration over a dark ground was particularly characteristic, sometimes accompanied by colourful beadwork reflecting the influence of neighbouring Samburu communities. The reddish-brown and black coloration of the present example recalls this eastern Lake Turkana aesthetic tradition, although its precise regional origin is undocumented. The akarum represents an outstanding expression of traditional African functional art, where the demands of portability, durability and everyday use are inseparable from the pursuit of harmonious forms and carefully finished surfaces. Bibliographical reference: Alan Donovan, “Turkana Functional Art”, African Arts, Vol. 21, No. 3, May 1988, pp. 44–47. The article discusses the manufacture, structure, use and regional decoration of akarum milk containers and illustrates several comparable examples. Condition Good overall condition for a traditional object of this type and presumed age. The wooden vessel and its detachable drinking cup are preserved. The surfaces display a rich, softly polished old patina, with scratches, abrasions, rubbed areas and irregularities consistent with prolonged use. A small old indigenous stitched repair is visible on the rounded body, as illustrated in the detailed photographs. The leather straps, bindings and connecting sleeve display age-related wear, dryness, loose ends and surface deterioration. Wear and old deposits are also visible around the neck and upper opening. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description. Included The wooden milk container with its detachable drinking cup and original leather elements. The bronze bracelet used as a photographic support is not included in the sale.