Portrait of a Nuer youth

56 x 54 mm | Print gelatin silver

Date of Print:

Unknown

Previous PRM Number:

EP.N.II.94

Accession Number:

1998.355.96.2

Description:

A three-quarter length portrait of an initiated youth turning towards the camera, standing in the cleared area of a homestead. He is wearing two sets of thiau armrings near the wrist and upper arm. The binding practice imitates or complements the practice of training a favourite ox's left horn across the muzzle (ma gut), both of which are often done soon after initiation. This binding is done for some months or even a year or two, and is accompanied by swelling, sores and pain, and renders the left arm useless for the period. During the elaborate telling of compliments to a woman during courtship or at dances, the youth ran a metal ring up and down the arm-rings to produce a sound. His face is also painted with ashes for decorative effect.

Photographer:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Date of Photo:

1936 October - November

Region:

[Southern Sudan] Wahda

Group:

Nuer Western Jikany

PRM Source:

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard

Acquired:

Donated 1966

Other Owners:

E. E. Evans-Pritchard Collection

Class:

Physical Anthropology , Ornament , Body Art

Keyword:

Ornament Arm , Body Art Paint

Documentation:

Original catalogue lists in Manuscript Collections. Additional material in related documents files. [CM 27/9/2005]

Primary Documentation:

Accession Book Entry [p. 98] 1966.27 [1 - 24] G[ift] PROFESSOR E. E. EVANS-PRITCHARD; INST. OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, 51 BANBURY RD. OXFORD 1966.27.1-16 S. SUDAN. NUER TRIBE. Sixteen negative albums containing negatives and prints of photographs taken by donor during field-work. All listed in albums. Added Accession Book Entry - [p. 98 in right hand column, in pencil] Catalogue room.

Manual Catalogues [index taken from album book II, ms ink] - 94. Youth

Note on print reverse ms pencil - "02 4 W. Jikany" & print front border ms ink - "NUER II/94"

Recorder:

Christopher Morton [26/5/2004] [Southern Sudan Project]