Dinka cattle camp post
59 x 55 mm | Negative film nitrate
Date of Print:
Unknown
Accession Number:
2005.51.80.1
Description:
A tall post forked at the top, with a set of horns tied to it where the branches divide, probably from a sacrificed ox.
These posts, known as ghoro, formed a focus for male activity within a homestead or cattle camp, the gol nhom.
This forked branch has the sacrificed ox's tethering rope (yuen) draped across.
Each family has its own oro post, made according to custom in the house of the youngest son.
Within a district, the ghoro of different families are easily recognised from a distance by other residents.
Photographer:
Godfrey Lienhardt
Date of Photo:
1947 - 1951
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Warab
Group:
Dinka
Notes:
Notes by Edward Acuel Akoch, recorded by Carol Berger, 2005 - "This is a traditional cattle camp marker known as an oro.
The horns of a bull sacrificially slaughtered at the marker have been placed in the uppermost fork of the pole.
Draped across the length of the fork is a rope, called a yuen, that was used to tether the bull.
The yuen is identified with only one cow or bull and is never used on another animal following a slaughter.
Each family has its own oro, made according to custom in the house of the youngest son.
As part of the ceremony surrounding the placement of a new oro, the hole that will hold the oro is first dug by a son of a daughter.
Within districts, the oros of different families are easily recognised by fellow residents." [CM 16/12/2005]
PRM Source:
Estate of Ronald Godfrey Lienhardt, via Ahmed al-Shahi (literary executor)
Acquired:
Donated 2005
Other Owners:
Godfrey Lienhardt Collection
Class:
Ritual Object
Keyword:
Shrine
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 21/7/2005 [Southern Sudan Project]
