Zande abinza (witchdoctors) at initiation
104 x 78 mm | Print gelatin silver
Condition:
Silver sulphide staining overall [EE 1989]
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.565
Previous Other Number:
92 6 (3) [frame 3]
Accession Number:
1998.341.565.2
Description:
A group of abinza (witchdoctors) addressing onlookers at a seance (do avure), wearing elaborate dance costumes including rattles, headdresses and magical attachments.
A number of horns and other magical objects placed on the ground mark out the dance area of an individual binza.
This seance took place in Evans-Pritchard's own compound as part of the initiation of their new member, Kamanga.
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
?1928 - 1929
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Western Equatoria Yambio
Group:
Zande
Publication History:
Contemporary Publication - Reproduced as Plate XXIX Fig 2 in E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard's article 'The Zande Corporation of Witchdoctors',
JRAI
Vol.
LXII, 1932, with the caption 'Fig.2 - Group of witchdoctors.
In the foreground is a medicine-pot containing water into which they gaze before giving revelations' [Chris Morton 15/11/2004]
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection
Class:
Clothing Ritual , Religion , Ritual , Dance
Keyword:
Headdress
Activity:
Ritual Activity
Event:
Ceremony Initiation , Dance
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)"] - 565. Witchdoctors (showing magic implements arranged in circle). 92/6 (3)
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "SSS overall 8.89"
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)"] - 565. Witchdoctors (showing magic implements arranged in circle). 92/6 (3)
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "SSS overall 8.89"
Other Information:
Ethnographic context - In Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937, page 154-157) E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard notes that '[o]n my third expedition in 1930 I constantly attended seances of witch-doctors and tried to see their activities in the social life of the Azande in better perspective than I had been able to do when immersed in the details of their craft..' A detailed account of the ritual burial ceremony as part of the training of a binza novice is found on pp.
239 - 245.
On page 239 E-P states that the photographs of Kamanga's ritual burial were taken immediately outside his own hut 'which accounts for the spaciousness of the scene and for the unusual number of magicians present.' Kamanga himself gives an account of his ritual burial initiation experience on page 241.
[Chris Morton 23/10/2003]
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 21/11/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
