We analysed 4 wooden objects of the Pygmy culture from DR Congo. The objects are kept by the Slovene Ethnographical Museum (SEM) in Ljubljana. The analysed objects are a crossbow, made from two pieces (bow and stock) that can be assembled, a shield, a musical instrument, a dagger and a sheath. The objectives of the research were to analyse the museum objects to identify the wood species they are made of. We collected the samples for wood analyses using the least destructive method in order to keep the objects unharmed and suitable for exposition. Using standard methodology of wood anatomy, we prepared permanent slides for microscopy. We used available keys for microscopic identification of hardwoods and consulted the experts for African wood species and museum objects. Each of the objects is made of different wood species. The bow is made of Corynanthe pachyceras and the corresponding stock of Xylopia aethiopica, the shield's central grip is made of Bridelia micrantha, the musical instrument is made of Musanga cecropioides. The dagger and possibly also the sheath are made of Autranella congolensis. The identified wood species are less known in Europe. Properties and utilization of the identified wood species show, that the Pygmys know their local wood species very well and that they know how to optimally use them.
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