Nuer mock combat at dance

58 x 55 mm | Print gelatin silver

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.N.XVI.66

Previous Other Number:

Accession Number:

1998.355.785.2

Description:

A large group at a dance with two youths in the foreground 'duelling' with spears locked together in mock combat, one with a half-shaved head. 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.

Photographer:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Date of Photo:

1936 October - November

Region:

[Southern Sudan] Wahda

Group:

Nuer Western Jikany Jikul

PRM Source:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Acquired:

Donated 1966

Other Owners:

E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection

Class:

Dance , Weapon , Social Life , Toilet

Keyword:

Dance Accessory , Spear

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 XVI, ms ink] - 66. Dancing

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "02 W.Jikany" & print front border ms ink - "NUER XVI/66"

Other Information:

Other photographs, also depicting a dance, with the film number 02 are identified as Jikul clan, a significant lineage of the Western Jikany, as well as the Karlual (Leek). [Chris Morton 8/9/2004]

Recorder:

Christopher Morton [8/9/2004] [Southern Sudan Project]