A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 3 views (bottom left: view from front; bottom right: side with pipe bowl to the left; top: view from top). Pipes like this were inspired by those used by America's First Peoples from whom Europeans learned about tobacco. Europeans introduced tobacco smoking to West Africa during the early centuries of trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe's bowl has a slightly flared base, the bottom of which shows signs of abrasion. Above its base, the pipe bowl is outward flaring. The bowl is decorated by overall diagonal incisions that meet to form a "V" pattern. The front is marked by a vertical row of circular impressions. Rounded appliques have been added to the bowl near to its base. The bowl's rim is missing. Its stem joins the bowl at its base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem is slightly collared at its end and has a rounded lip. The pipe has been minimally cleaned on the exterior and soil remains in the bowl interior. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 6 July, 1995.
