Consulting the Zande benge oracle
104 x 78 mm | Negative film nitrate
There are records relating to alternative images that we do not have scans for in the database:
1998.341.341.2 - Print gelatin silver , (104 x 78 mm)
1998.341.341.2 - Print gelatin silver , (104 x 78 mm)
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.341
Previous Other Number:
46 3 (+73) [frame 3]
Accession Number:
1998.341.341.1
Description:
An operator of the poison oracle (benge) seated to the left (identified as Windis or Zori).
The oracle questioner is identified as Bawili son of Bagbe, who is seated nearby to the right, gesticulating in his address to the oracle.
Poison oracle consultations take place away from habitation, often at the edge of cultivations, so as to ensure secrecy and to avoid pollution and witchcraft.
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
1927
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Western Equatoria Yambio
Group:
Zande
NamedPerson:
Windis
Notes:
Related images of this scene are published in E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard's article "Oracle Magic of the Azande"
Sudan Notes and Records
, Vol.XI, 1928, which was based upon his first expedition of 1927, thereby providing a terminus ante quem.
[CM 10/10/2005]
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection
Class:
Religion , Agriculture and Horticulture
Keyword:
Oracle Divination , Garden
Activity:
Divining
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)"] - 341. Men (Windis and Bavili) consulting benge oracle. 46/3 (+73)
Note on negative m/s ink - "+73"
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)"] - 341. Men (Windis and Bavili) consulting benge oracle. 46/3 (+73)
Note on negative m/s ink - "+73"
Other Information:
E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard discusses the operation of the benge oracle in detail on pages 294-312 of Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937).
Two similar images, obviously taken at the same time, are reproduced as Plates XXIa & b (facing page 310) in E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard's Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937). Information with [1998.341.405] states that Bawili is a son of Bagbe (Bawili wiri Bagbe).
It also states that another name for Windis is Zori vuru Game, i.e Zori, a subject of Gami (a commoner governor).
I have standardised the commoner governor's name as Gami as it appears this way in many captions as well as in The Azande (OUP 1971).
[Chris Morton 5/12/2003]
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 3/11/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
