Zande game and stool
104 x 78 mm | Print gelatin silver
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.317
Previous Other Number:
61 1 (123) [frame 5]
Accession Number:
1998.341.317.2
Description:
A Zande version of the widespread African game often known as mancala (an arabic word meaning 'to transfer', i.e.
move game pieces from one hole to another).
The Zande version (known as abanga) was sometimes carved, but is here set in the earth under the eaves of a hut, with an old-style stool for a player visible beyond.
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:
Toy & Game , Furnishings , Shelter
Keyword:
Game Accessory , Building House
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)"] - 317. Abanga hole game mud board. (Shows old fashioned stool of Schireinfurth's [sic] time in background). 61/1 (123)
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)"] - 317. Abanga hole game mud board. (Shows old fashioned stool of Schireinfurth's [sic] time in background). 61/1 (123)
Other Information:
In The Heart of Africa (London 1873, vol ii page 294) Georg Schweinfurth writes in detail about this game amongst the Azande, that he calls mungala (variation of common term mancala).
In particular he states that 'In default of a board the game is frequently played upon the bare ground, in which little cavities are made for the purpose.' The stool mentioned as being 'of Schweinfurth's time' in E-P's handlist list, is figured in The Heart of Africa (London 1873, vol ii page 293 (no.15)) which (although it has the addition of two end supports) is very like the one in this image.
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 31/10/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
