Bongo grave with carvings

Bongo grave with carvings
103 x 75 mm | Print gelatin silver
Condition:
Silver sulphide staining [EE 1989]
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.B.14
Previous Other Number:
29 [frame 6]


Accession Number:
1998.343.14.3
Description:
A stone mound erected over a man's grave (dodo) surmounted by a short pointed stake with a decorated gourd attached to it. Around the mound are six carved posts tallying different large animals killed by the deceased, one of which (to the right) is also surmounted by a carved likeness of the man. These carved figures were considered representations of the deceased, put up to honour the individual, but not serving any ritual purpose [cloudy image].
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
1929 March
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Warab Tonj
Group:
Bongo
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection
Class:
Death , Carving
Keyword:
Grave , Grave Marker , Memorial , Figure
Primary Documentation:
PRM Accession Records - Accession Book Entry [p. 98] 1966.27 [1 - 24] G[ift] PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD - 1966.27.19 - S. SUDAN, DARFUNG. VARIOUS TRIBES. Box of negatives in envelopes, [1 - 242] & 1966.27.20 - Box of prints of these negatives [refers to object 1966.27.19] [1 - 242], in envelopes.

Notes on print/mount mech. printed - "2 65" & m/s ink "Bongo shrine" [not E-P handwriting] [Chris Morton 14/1/2004]

Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "SSS overall 8.89"

Other Information:
In "The Bongo" (Sudan Notes and Records Vol.XII Part I 1929 page 37) E. E. Evans-Pritchard notes that 'the Bongo graves are surrounded by carved wooden figures of men and carved posts tallying the number of the larger animals killed by the deceased during his lifetime. The different animals killed may be counted by adding up the different kinds of notches and by the shape of the forked head of the posts.' [Chris Morton 14/1/2004]
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 14/1/2004 [Southern Sudan Project]
 
Funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council
Help | About | Bibliography