IDNO

N.19123.ROS

Description

Two milk maids and two men taking part in a milking ceremony in order to acquire the king’s milk. According to Roscoe’s description; at the throne-room doorway, "Two wives of the king, both of whom were called Bakurogesa, now came forward. These were chosen wives, and were purified and whitened like the men. One of them carried a horn of water and a bunch of leaves or grass, while the other carried the milk pots.” (Roscoe 1923, p. 97). In this image, two of the king’s wives are visible; both wear dark bark cloth? wrapped around them. The one in the foreground appears to hold a milk-pot and she clearly has a white face. To the right, two men appear to be in the process of milking a white cow who is positioned on a grass mat. An elephant grass fence suggests that this is taking place within the Royal enclosure.

Place

E Africa; Uganda; Bunyoro; Kitara

Cultural Affliation

Banyoro (Bakitara)

Named Person

Andereya Bisereko Duhaga II (b. 1882 - d. 1924)

Photographer

?Roscoe, John R.

Collector / Expedition

Roscoe, John R. [Mackie Ethnological Expedition, Uganda, 1919 - 1920]

Date

1919 - 1920

Collection Name

Roscoe Collection

Source

Format

Film Negative Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

This negative was kept in an envelope marked C30/75/ by the cataloguer. The envelope was kept in box marked C30/ by the cataloguer.
Previously stored on Shelf 4, in group of 4 wooden boxes numbered 180.

Publication: Image published in Roscoe, J., 1923. The Bakitara (or Banyoro): The First Part of the Report of The Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), p. 49, Plate VII, with the caption: "Milking a Sacred Cow; milk-maids in attendance”. [ED 2/10/2007]

Image also published in Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), p. 148, with the caption "Bunyoro: Milking the Sacred Cows.” [ED 2/10/2007]

Context: "Two cows, called Nkorogi ya Muhango (the cows for the king’s meal), were brought to the throne-room doorway where some freshly cut grass was spread. Two wives of the king, both of whom were called Bakurogesa, now came forward. These were chosen wives, and were purified and whitened like the men. One of them carried a horn of water and a bunch of leaves or grass, while the other carried the milk pots.
One cow was then brought to stand on the grass mat, and its calf, which had been tied up in the court, was loosed and allowed to go to its dam and suck. When the milk was flowing freely, the calf was pulled away and held in front of the cow. One of the men took a brush from the maid and cleaned the udder. The cow’s hind legs were tied with a thong and its tail was held so it could not whisk dust into the milk. The milk-maid with the water poured a little over the hands of Mukorogi who then held them aloft as if praying until all was ready for him to milk. He squatted at the right side of the cow and one of the men folded his garments under him so that they were out of his way and he need not touch them, for after his hands had been washed he had to be careful to touch nothing. The milk-maid placed a pot on his knees, bending over his shoulders to do so, for he might not see her. He milked as much milk as he thought fit into the pot, raised his hands again, and the milk maid removed the pot by lifting it over his shoulders, and carried it to the dairy. The cow was then released and the calf was allowed to complete his meal, while the second cow was brought and milked with the same ceremony. Should one of these make droppings during the milking time, the milk was not used for the king for it was considered to be defiled; but if a cow urinated, it was hailed with expression of praise, for that was said to bring blessing.” (Roscoe, J., 1923. The Bakitara (or Banyoro): The First Part of the Report of The Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), pp. 97 - 98). [ED 2/10/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 2/10/2007]