Tiger bells in South West Asia

Pakistan

Tiger bells are of the A type.

Photograph: courtesy Elisabeth den Otter, Tropen Museum Amsterdam

Region: Campbellpore district (Northeast Pakistan)
Five tiger bells, on a set of two wooden anklets. Two tiger bells and two ordinary bells on one anklet, three tiger bells and two small ordinary bells on the other. The anklets were used by males during dances related to wedding ceremonies.
Bells are of the A type but roughly made (similar to some examples from Afghanistan and East Kalimantan (Indonesia).

The Campbellpore district is one region where the Hazara live. The Hazara are an ethnic group that arrived in the area (Pakistan, Afghanistan) from Northeast Asia several hundreds of years ago. Before they were converted to Islam they were shamanists. See also quotes from the paper Malang, Sufis and Mystics; an ethnographic and historical study of shamanism in Afghanistan by M. Sidky

Collection Tropen Museum, Amsterdam (Neth.), procured in 1965.

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Region: unknown
On eBay, the site of www.annarbornazarene.org, one tiger bell type A.

Description:

Bronze tiger bell circa 1600-1700 AD from Pakistan.The bell is in fine condition 100% authentic, no restoration.

Views from both sides
Photographs: courtesy annarbornazarene.org

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