Ceylon, India: a shaman holding a large bow for a divination ritual. Process print, 1910/1930.

1910-1930

1 print : process print ; sheet 13.9 x 15.2 cm

Select images of this work were taken by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum: WT/D/1/20/1/43/53

Diagnosis by divination. The shaman holds a bow, balanced by the string, while reciting an invocation to determine which of the "Yaku" (or spirits of the dead to whose influence the Veddas ascribed illness) is responsible. When the right name is spoken, the bow swings to and fro. The Veddas, Ceylon Bears accession number: PHO 768

Wellcome Collection 581395i