Nuer leopard-skin priest
170 x 125 mm | Print gelatin silver
Condition:
Silver sulphide staining overall? [EE 1989]
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.N.362
Accession Number:
1998.346.362
Description:
A three-quarter length portrait of a standing leopard-skin priest (Kuaar tuon) carrying a hollowed ambatch log used as a stool, headrest, container for tobacco and other objects etc.
The leopard-skin priest (also known as Kuaar twac after the skin worn across the shoulders) was a ritual rather than political authority, and acted as arbiter in disputes and in ritual activities such as spirit possession and sacrifice.
This print is from an original photograph by F.
D.
Corfield who Evans-Pritchard knew well since he was District Commissioner at Nasir on the Sobat River during his early fieldwork.
The same priest features in the Corfield image reproduced as Plate XXIV in The Nuer (1940).
Photographer:
Frank D. Corfield
Date of Photo:
1931-1935
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Upper Nile
Group:
Nuer ?Eastern Jikany
Publication History:
Contemporary Publication - Reproduced as Plate XIV (facing page 290) in E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard's
Nuer Religion
(Oxford University Press 1974 [1957]) with the caption 'Leopard-skin priest'.
It is credited to Frank Corfield in the list of plates (page xii).
[CM 2/9/2005]
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection. Probably given to Evans-Pritchard by Frank D. Corfield.
Class:
Ritual , Clothing Skin , Ornament , Ritual Object
Keyword:
Ornament Arm , Ornament Head , Shield
Documentation:
Original catalogue lists in Manuscript Collections. Additional material in related documents files. [CM 27/9/2005]
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry: [p.
98] 1966.27 [1 - 24] G[ift] PROFESSOR E.
E.
EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST.
OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD.
OXFORD 1966.27.17 S.
SUDAN.
NUER TRIBE.
Box of negatives each in separate envelope, labelled.
(some missing).
Nos.
1 - 213.
(prints in box 1966.27.18)...1966.27.18 S.
SUDAN.
NUER TRIBE.
Box of prints each in separate envelope.
Nos.
1 - 213.
(negatives in 1966.27.17.)
Note on print reverse ms pencil - "XIV Nuer Religion not E-P photo please return, after use, to The Curator, Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford [numerous printer's marks]"
Note on print reverse ms pencil - "XIV Nuer Religion not E-P photo please return, after use, to The Curator, Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford [numerous printer's marks]"
Recorder:
Christopher Morton [11/5/2004] [Southern Sudan Project]
