IDNO

N.19229.ROS

Description

A crowd of Banyoro? people assembling for New Moon Dances inside the Royal enclosure. In the background, to the right, there are a number of trumpeters? and a group of young Banyoro? boys? wearing kanzus (white tunics) while carrying large drums on their left shoulders. To the left, there are a number of Banyoro? men, either wearing the kanzu (white tunic) or what appears to be barkcloth worn in the traditional manner. To the left, drums of various sizes are being carried or played. To the far left, there appears to be one of the ‘standard-bearers’ (perhaps Olukandula who "carried a kind of two-toothed rake”? (Roscoe, 1923, p. 109)) and a spear-bearer, who appear to be walking out of the frame.

Place

E Africa; Uganda; Bunyoro; Hoima

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 C30/184/ 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., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), p. 210, with the caption "Bunyoro: Assembling for the New Moon Ceremonies”.
Similar image published in Roscoe, J., 1922, p. 208, with the caption: "Bunyoro: Dance at New Moon Ceremonies”.
Similar images also 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. 129, Plate XVII, with the caption: "People assembling in the Royal enclosure for the New Moon festival” and p. 144, Plate XVIII, with the captions: "Drums being carried for the New Moon ceremony” and "Drummers awaiting the signal to begin the dance at the New Moon festival” and p. 145, Plate XIX, "The New Moon dance begins”.
For a detailed description of the New Moon festival, please see: 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. 107 - 110.). [ED 8/10/2007]

Context: "New Moon Ceremonies: When the New Moon was due, a watch was kept for it from the top of a mound in front of a gate of the royal enclosure. Here a priest stood with a drummer, and round them were the royal bandsmen with drums, flutes, and other wind instruments. Hundreds of people assembled around the mound.
When the moon appeared, Bamuroga, the principal chief and head of the Sacred Guild, went to the king and said "You have outlived the moon and your people are a fighting people and rejoice with you. May you conquer.” The king went to the door of the throne room where he pronounced a blessing on the country, after which he sent word to the priest that the band should strike up and the festivities begin. For seven days the bands played, and dancing and rejoicing went on in the royal enclosure; then everyone adjourned to the enclosure of the king’s mother for a day, and that to the chief medicine man for another day, making nine days in all. Inside the royal enclosure in front of the king, any man might dance, but no woman who was not of royal blood; women of pastoral or agricultural families had to dance outside. The royal bands had to play continuously during this time except for a short rest between six and seven o’clock in the morning, when they snatched a little sleep. One or two at a time retired for food or rest, but the music might not cease” (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. 107 - 108). [ED 11/10/2007]

Context: Roscoe’s perspective on spending time in the King’s old capital, Hoima: "Here too I had the exceptional opportunity of seeing old times brought, as it were, to life again, for the King was good enough to arrange and carry out for my benefit a week’s pageant, so that I was able to follow the milk customs and the new moon ceremonies as they were actually performed.” (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. ix). [ED 11/10/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 8/10/2007]