Bongo grave with carvings

103 x 75 mm | Print gelatin silver

Condition:

Residual chemical staining & sulphide staining [EE 1989]

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.B.15

Previous Other Number:

29 [frame 8]

Accession Number:

1998.343.15.2

Description:

A stone mound erected over a man's grave (dodo) surmounted by a short pointed stake (visible to left) with a carved pot pierced over it. Around the mound are six carved posts tallying different large animals killed by the deceased, two of which are visible in this image, one with a likeness of the deceased carved at the top. These carvings were understood as a means of honouring the dead but did not have any particular ritual meaning.

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 - "29"

Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "RCS & SS 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]