Mandari (Tsera) shrine

82 x 82 mm | Lantern slide glass

MountDimension:

82 x 82 mm

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous Other Number:

V.e.39 (454)

Accession Number:

1967.26.186

Description:

A homestead of the Tsera (called Shir by Seligman) sub-group of Mandari living on both sides of the Nile bank. In the foreground is a youth standing next to a small four-corner shelter with a conical grass shelter above. This structure may well be a grave-shrine, in similar manner to the Acholi kac. Beyond are several huts and a large plant towering over the courtyard. In another image it is clear that another shrine is just beyond the centre hut, the very top of a long pole which forms part of it just being visible.

Photographer:

Charles Gabriel Seligman

Date of Photo:

?1910

Region:

[Southern Sudan] Bahr el Jebel [vicinity of Nile]

Group:

Mandari (Tsera)

PRM Source:

London School of Economics and Political Science

Acquired:

Donated 1967

Other Owners:

C. G. Seligman slide collection

Class:

Ritual , Religion , Shelter

Keyword:

Shrine , Building House

Documentation:

Manual Catalogue in Related Documents File

Primary Documentation:

Accession Book Entry - [1967.26] THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, HOUGHTON STREET, ALDWYCH, LONDON, W.C.E. PER MR ANTHONY FORGE - SUDAN. Box containing 309 lantern slides (3 1/4” x 3 1/4”) made from photographs taken by the late Professor C. G. SELIGMAN in various parts of the SUDAN. All slides numbered and labelled. Catalogue in file (“Seligman Slide Collection”). Additional Accession Book Entry - [in pencil] 18 Parks Rd.

Manual catalogue entry (thermofax catalogue copy in folder '27-06 Seligman Slide Collection') - "V.e.39. Shir shrine (454)"

Note on lantern slide ms ink - "V.e.39. Shir shrine. 454. CGS."

Other Information:

Ethnologue suggests that Shir should be treated as an alternative name within the Mandari language group, although they are separated by Seligman (1932). Tucker (1935) also distinguishes them, suggesting that they are an offshoot of the Mandari. They are undoubtedly closely related however. [Chris Morton 15/10/2004]

Recorder:

Christopher Morton [15/10/2004] [Southern Sudan Project]