Nuer dance gathering
137 x 83 mm | Print gelatin silver
Date of Print:
1920s circa
Previous PRM Number:
B.4.5.7
Accession Number:
1998.204.5.7
Description:
Two Nuer men perform a leaping movement (rau) as part of a dance, one holding a large-bladed spear, the other a very long ambatch parrying shield.
Many of the youths have smeared ash on their lower legs.
In the distance on the right can be seen several beehive huts often made at dry season camps.
Such dances were regular social events, often also accompanying ceremonies such as marriages.
Such events were the main arena for courtship among Nuer youth, and often took the form of mock battles and display between village groups.
Photographer:
Charles Kingsley Meek
Date of Photo:
1928 circa
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Upper Nile ?Sobat River
Group:
Nuer
Notes:
Only one location is identified in Meek's southern Sudan photographs, on the reverse of 1998.204.11.1 which notes: 'The frail craft I used to cross a khor (river) between Nasser and Gargwang, in December.
This khor is now practically dry.' [CM 2/8/2005]
PRM Source:
Charles Kingsley Meek
Acquired:
1930 circa
Other Owners:
Charles Kingsley Meek Collection
Class:
Dance
Keyword:
Dance Accessory
Activity:
Dancing
Event:
Dance
Documentation:
1991 correspondence between D. Zeitlyn and C.I. Meek in Related Documents File
Recorder:
Christopher Morton [24/6/2005] [Southern Sudan Project]
Related Collections:
1998.204.11
