Bongo grave with carvings
103 x 75 mm | Print gelatin silver
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.B.15
Previous Other Number:
29 [frame 8]
Accession Number:
1998.343.15.3
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 - "2 66"
Notes on print/mount - "2 66"
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]
