Shilluk burial dance

118 x 81 mm | Print gelatin silver

Condition:

Silver sulphide staining [EE 1989]

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.SH.21; EP.M.81

Accession Number:

1998.348.21

Description:

A large group of Shilluk people at the burial ceremony of a person in Omdurman. According to the Seligman's (who almost certainly took this image on their first voyage up the Nile in 1909-10) dancing women bearing spears went round and round the grave, whilst others played bells and drums. This scene shows the attendance of men in war regalia, spears and shields, along with a tribal flag.

Photographer:

Charles Gabriel Seligman

Date of Photo:

1910 circa

Region:

Nile Province Omdurman

Group:

Shilluk

Notes:

In C.G. & B. Seligman's Pagan Tribes of the Nilotic Sudan (London, Routledge 1932, page 104) they note that 'many years ago we witnessed a Shilluk burial at Omdurman. Women bearing spears went round and round the grave, dancing, while other women beat drums and shook bells. Later the men danced in war panoply with spear and shield.' [Chris Morton 16/3/2004]

PRM Source:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Acquired:

Donated 1966

Other Owners:

E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection

Class:

Death , Weapon , Social Life , Insignia

Keyword:

[Grave] , Spear , Shield , Flag

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.

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "Death dance with tribal flag, Shuluks. EP.M.81" [analysis of handwriting also suggests Seligman as originator] [Chris Morton 15/3/2004]

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "SSS overall 8.89"

Recorder:

Christopher Morton 16/3/2004 [Southern Sudan Project]