Nuer men at dance

56 x 54 mm | Print gelatin silver

There are records relating to alternative images that we do not have scans for in the database:
1998.355.30.1 - Negative film nitrate , (58 x 55 mm )

Condition:

stained right hand side 19/11/86 EE

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.N.I.60

Previous Other Number:

8 [2]

Accession Number:

1998.355.30.2

Description:

A loose group of men with spears and clubs raised moving toward the camera, with other groups beyond on the dance ground. This sort of war play was a common feature of such dance gatherings where initiated youths of differing villages faced each other in mock running battles as a show of group prowess. Dances were also significant occasions for courtship. The people are described as Jikul, a lineage or clan name not associated with one particular tribal territory, but which was a significant lineage around Nyueny and surrounding villages in Leek country where Evans-Pritchard conducted the bulk of his fieldwork in western Nuerland, but also a significant residential grouping among the Western Jikany, where this image was probably taken.

Photographer:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Date of Photo:

1936 October - November

Region:

[Southern Sudan] Wahda

Group:

Nuer Western Jikany Jikul

Notes:

There would seem to be three Rolleiflex films identified as no. 8 in the Nuer series, which I have identified based upon differences in the handwritten style of enumerating the number 8 on the print reverses, as well as on visual content. [CM 26/10/2007]

PRM Source:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Acquired:

Donated 1966

Other Owners:

E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection

Class:

Dance , Weapon , Social Life

Keyword:

Dance Accessory , Spear , Club

Activity:

Dancing

Event:

Dance

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 1966.27.1-16 S. SUDAN. NUER TRIBE. Sixteen negative albums containing negatives and prints of photographs taken by donor during field-work. All listed in albums. Added Accession Book Entry - [p. 98 in right hand column, in pencil] Catalogue room.

Manual Catalogues [index taken from album book I, ms ink] - 60. Dancing - W. Nuer

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "8 Jikul" & print front border ms ink - "NUER I/60"

Recorder:

Christopher Morton [20/5/2004] [Southern Sudan Project]