Zande rain-magic
104 x 78 mm | Negative film nitrate
There are records relating to alternative images that we do not have scans for in the database:
1998.341.18.2 - Print gelatin silver , (104 x 78 mm)
1998.341.18.2 - Print gelatin silver , (104 x 78 mm)
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.18
Previous Other Number:
3 (197) [frame 2]
Accession Number:
1998.341.18.1
Description:
A magical invocation consisting of a stone suspended from a stick using a tied piece of grass, to prevent rain during the building of a hut.
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
1927 - 1930
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Western Equatoria Yambio
Group:
Zande
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection
Class:
Religion , Ritual , [Shelter]
Keyword:
[Building]
Activity:
Ritual Activity
Documentation:
Original catalogue lists in Manuscript Collections. Additional material in related documents files. [CM 27/9/2005]
Primary Documentation:
PRM Accession Records - [1966.27.21] G PROFESSOR E.
E.
EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST.
OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD.
OXFORD - S.
SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE.
Box of negatives in envelopes.
Nos.
1 - 400
Added Accession Book Entry - [In pencil in column] Catalogue room.
[1966.27.23] G PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD - S. SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE. Box of prints in envelopes, nos. 1 - 400 (prints of negatives in 1966.27.21)
Manual Catalogues [typewritten, entitled "Zande Photographs (E-P)"] - 18. Rain-magic. (stone hanging from stick). 3 (197)
Note on neg m/s ink - "197"
Added Accession Book Entry - [In pencil in column] Catalogue room.
[1966.27.23] G PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD - S. SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE. Box of prints in envelopes, nos. 1 - 400 (prints of negatives in 1966.27.21)
Manual Catalogues [typewritten, entitled "Zande Photographs (E-P)"] - 18. Rain-magic. (stone hanging from stick). 3 (197)
Note on neg m/s ink - "197"
Other Information:
In Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937), page 474 E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard notes that "the following method is illustrated on Plate XXXI.
I have often observed it employed during hut-building: 'They hang up a stone, saying, "May rain not fall, when rain appears as though it is about to fall may it remain firm like the stone.
May rain not soften (liquify) to fall.
Let rain remain firm in the heavens like a stone.
May you, stone, be first untied, then may rain fall." They tie up the stone to keep away rain.' similar image [from neg.
1998.341.5] reproduced in Witchcraft Oracles and magic among the Azande, 1937:453 as Plate XXXIb "A stone hangs in the air to prevent rain from falling during hut-building"
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 6/10/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
