Zande abanga game
140 x 80 mm | Print gelatin silver
Condition:
Tear/silver sulphide staining/?fading [EE 1989]
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.661
Previous Other Number:
83 4 (+123)
Accession Number:
1998.341.661.2
Description:
The 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 was often also set in the earth.
This carving echoes the form of the Zande wooden gong (gugu) in the form of a buffalo.
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)"] - 661. Playing hole game (Large size). 83/4 (+123)
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "Photo torn upper RHS corner SSS overall ?fading".'
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)"] - 661. Playing hole game (Large size). 83/4 (+123)
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "Photo torn upper RHS corner SSS overall ?fading".'
Other Information:
Ethnographic context - 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) noting that 'the "mungala" itself is a long piece of wood, in which two parallel rows of holes are scooped out.
Nubian boards have sixteen holes, the Niam-Niam eighteen.
Each player has about two dozen stones, and the skill of the game consists in adroitly transferring the stones from one hole to another.
In default of a board the game is frequently played upon the bare ground, in which little cavities are made for the purpose.'
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 2/12/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
