DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0133
Symbolism
111
on knit stockings are called “flowers”, flowers serving as a synonym
for pattern. The drawn work of Mexico bears also names.-1 Here
we find names as for instance, “Little Jesus", “Beehive” (a) (fig. 105),
“Partridge's Eye” (b), “Tomato Seed and Peel” (c), liana (d),
“Spider Net” (e). The same is true of the embroidery of Paraguay.2
Named designs among more primitive people are particularly
common in Africa, where, according to all investigators, the complex
designs are conceived as compounds of single elements which bear names.
Czekanowski3 says in discussing the ornaments found in Ruanda
(fig. 106): “On account
of the simplicity of the
Ruanda ornament its
elements are easily
determined. We shall
enumerate them here
according to their nam-
es : quiver (a); shield
(b); millet (c); knife (d);
arrowhead (e); kindly
person (/); ferrule of
a spear (g); wings of a
swallow (h); large tail (i,j); arrows (k). The three last patterns may be
considered as compound forms. The pentagon occupies an exceptional
position. All these elements consist of straight lines. Curves occur as
segments, crescents, spirals and circles. Wide-lined circles are called
arm rings {m)\ narrow ones, bracelets (ri).” The general ornamentation
consists of horizontal rows of black triangles or diamonds on a plain
background or a white triangle on a black background. The arrowhead
design (e) appears in long rows, the point of one head touching the
1 Journal American Folk-Lore Vol. 33, 1920, pp. 73 et seq.
2 E. Roquette-Pinto, On the Nanduti of Paraguay. Proceedings of the Con-
gress of Americanists, Gotenburg, 1925, pp. 103 et seq.
8 Jan Czekanowski, Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Zentral-Afrika
Expedition, 1907—1908, Vol. VI, Part 1. pp. 329 et seq.
A t b H, ^
d e
y
wv
K
m n q p y
Fig. 106. Designs of the Ruanda.
111
on knit stockings are called “flowers”, flowers serving as a synonym
for pattern. The drawn work of Mexico bears also names.-1 Here
we find names as for instance, “Little Jesus", “Beehive” (a) (fig. 105),
“Partridge's Eye” (b), “Tomato Seed and Peel” (c), liana (d),
“Spider Net” (e). The same is true of the embroidery of Paraguay.2
Named designs among more primitive people are particularly
common in Africa, where, according to all investigators, the complex
designs are conceived as compounds of single elements which bear names.
Czekanowski3 says in discussing the ornaments found in Ruanda
(fig. 106): “On account
of the simplicity of the
Ruanda ornament its
elements are easily
determined. We shall
enumerate them here
according to their nam-
es : quiver (a); shield
(b); millet (c); knife (d);
arrowhead (e); kindly
person (/); ferrule of
a spear (g); wings of a
swallow (h); large tail (i,j); arrows (k). The three last patterns may be
considered as compound forms. The pentagon occupies an exceptional
position. All these elements consist of straight lines. Curves occur as
segments, crescents, spirals and circles. Wide-lined circles are called
arm rings {m)\ narrow ones, bracelets (ri).” The general ornamentation
consists of horizontal rows of black triangles or diamonds on a plain
background or a white triangle on a black background. The arrowhead
design (e) appears in long rows, the point of one head touching the
1 Journal American Folk-Lore Vol. 33, 1920, pp. 73 et seq.
2 E. Roquette-Pinto, On the Nanduti of Paraguay. Proceedings of the Con-
gress of Americanists, Gotenburg, 1925, pp. 103 et seq.
8 Jan Czekanowski, Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Zentral-Afrika
Expedition, 1907—1908, Vol. VI, Part 1. pp. 329 et seq.
A t b H, ^
d e
y
wv
K
m n q p y
Fig. 106. Designs of the Ruanda.