Ingessana smith polishing spear

103 x 76 mm | Print gelatin silver

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.D.33

Previous Other Number:

C 12

Accession Number:

1998.344.33.2

Description:

A smith's assistant sitting on his haunches polishing metal spear-heads on a stone. Although no smelting took place in the Tabi hills, the working of metal was common and apprentices were taken on for several years to learn the craft.

Photographer:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Date of Photo:

1926 November - December

Region:

Blue Nile Tabi Hills Soda

Group:

Ingessana (Gaam)

PRM Source:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Acquired:

Donated 1966

Other Owners:

E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection

Class:

Metalwork , Weapon

Keyword:

Spear

Activity:

Manufacturing

Documentation:

Original catalogue lists in Manuscript Collections. Additional material in related documents files. [CM 27/9/2005]

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.

Manual Catalogues [typewritten, entitled "Ingassana"] - 33. Smith's assistant polishing spear-heads. C.12

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "Smith polishing a spear C12 EPD33"

Other Information:

In A Preliminary Account of the Ingassana Tribe in Fung Province, Sudan Notes and Records X, 1927, page 77, E. E. Evans-Pritchard notes that 'In the Soda district, where iron-working is to-day a flourishing industry, there were only two smiths, who had learnt their craft from hill Gule. There are not only a large number of smiths, but the profession is open to any youth who cares to serve two or three years of apprenticeship to the trade...' [Chris Morton 29/1/2004]

Recorder:

Christopher Morton 29/1/2004 [Southern Sudan Project]