Consulting the Zande benge oracle
61 x 40 mm | Print gelatin silver
Condition:
Sulphide staining [EE 1989]
Date of Print:
Unknown
Previous PRM Number:
EP.A.349
Previous Other Number:
29 6
Accession Number:
1998.341.349.2
Description:
An operator of the poison oracle (benge), a boy identified as wiri dawiri Tupoi i.e.
Tupoi's sister's son, sitting on the ground administering benge poison to a fowl.
Benge is a strychnine-type poison produced from the root of a type of liana creeper, and the poison oracle was considered the highest authority in Zande matters.
Photographer:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photo:
1927 - 1930
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Western Equatoria Yambio
Group:
Zande
NamedPerson:
wiri dawiri Tupoi
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Donated 1966
Other Owners:
E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection
Class:
Religion
Keyword:
Oracle Divination
Activity:
Divining
Documentation:
Original catalogue lists in Manuscript Collections. Additional material in related documents files. [CM 27/9/2005]
Primary Documentation:
PRM Accession Records - [1966.27.21] G PROFESSOR E.
E.
EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST.
OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD.
OXFORD - S.
SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE.
Box of negatives in envelopes.
Nos.
1 - 400
Added Accession Book Entry - [In pencil in column] Catalogue room.
[1966.27.23] G PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD - S. SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE. Box of prints in envelopes, nos. 1 - 400 (prints of negatives in 1966.27.21)
Manual Catalogues [typewritten, entitled "Zande Photographs (E-P)"] - 349. Boy (wili dewili Tupoi) performing benge oracle . (Small size). 29/6
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "ss 6/87"
Added Accession Book Entry - [In pencil in column] Catalogue room.
[1966.27.23] G PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD - S. SUDAN, AZANDE TRIBE. Box of prints in envelopes, nos. 1 - 400 (prints of negatives in 1966.27.21)
Manual Catalogues [typewritten, entitled "Zande Photographs (E-P)"] - 349. Boy (wili dewili Tupoi) performing benge oracle . (Small size). 29/6
Notes on card mount m/s pencil - "ss 6/87"
Other Information:
E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard discusses the operation of the benge oracle in detail on pages 294-312 of Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937). In Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic Among the Azande (OUP 1937, page 114) E.
E.
Evans-Pritchard notes that 'One of those whom I knew well was my friend Tupoi of the Amozungu clan, a prominent figure at the court of Gangura...
believed by every one to be a witch of long standing and of great prestige in the witch council.' In their Zande and English Dictionary (London, The Sheldon Press 1952 [1931], page 26) Canon & Mrs E.C.
Gore note 'Dawiri, n., sister (only used in relation to a brother).'
Recorder:
Christopher Morton 4/11/2003 [Southern Sudan Project]
