IDNO

N.19429.ROS

Description

Two young women and a young boy from the Ankole region seated on a grass? mat outside a native-style hut?. One of the women (to the left) wears white cloth? and the other, barkcloth? or a dark-coloured fabric?. The women wear the fabric? in the same way that cowskin would, traditionally, have been worn. The young boy on the far left also wears white cloth.

Physical Condition: Film is a yellow/brown colour.

Place

E Africa; Uganda; Ankole

Cultural Affliation

?Bahima

Named Person

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 C31/54/ by the cataloguer. The envelope was kept in box marked C31/ by the cataloguer.
Previously stored on Shelf 4, in group of 4 wooden boxes numbered 180.

Clothing: A Bahima woman traditionally wears "two cowskin robes, one round her body and the other thrown over her head and descending to her feet” (Roscoe 1922, p. 65). [ED 12/9/2007]

Context: "Such preliminary matters having been settled, my next step was to visit the native king and his chief minister, and through them to get in touch with competent men who could tell me something about their old customs. I had met both the king and his minister several times, but as I had been out of Africa fully ten years and had not seen either of them for some years before leaving the country, I was uncertain as to my reception. Still, I was there to win my way and get information, and I therefore sought to make a favorable impression. I sent my servant in advance to announce my coming to the chief minister, and on my arrival I found him awaiting me in a small house built on the model of the mission houses, but without any windows, the only light being admitted by the doorway. The reception room contained a table and chairs, and soon after my arrival a boy brought in cups and saucers and a tin of biscuits, and I found myself enjoying afternoon tea. Over the teacups I was able to make known the object of my visit to the country and my desire to secure three or four reliable men who would be willing to give me information about the past. The chief minister was most kind, and, declaring, that he owed me a debt of gratitude for past help, promised to forward my work in every possible way. I felt still more encouraged when he stated that he would place the help I required at my disposal for two days’ time.
From the chief minister I went on to see the King, who lives quite near, for as the responsibility for his safety lies on the chief minister, this official must never be far away and had ready access to his master at all times. I found the king living in a large house built after the English style, with a corrugated iron roof, doors and glazed windows; inside were tables and chairs, and on the floor was a good carpet. All this marked a considerable advance from the time of my last visit to him, when I was received in a mud hut with a floor of hard earth. In person, he was not much altered, but he was somewhat reticent, and even, I thought lacking in intelligence. He could not be induced to enter into conversation, though now and then he would brighten up and make a few remarks. On the whole, however, the result of the visit was satisfactory, as he gave me promises- though somewhat doubtful ones-of help and asked me to come and see him again. On my next visit I found him very different, full of life, showing a keen interest in the past customs of his tribe, and evidently anxious that a full record should be made.” (Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), pp. 55 - 56.). [ED 27/9/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 24/10/2007]