IDNO

N.19460.ROS

Description

A young Bagesu boy ‘takes the oath’ before the circumcision in his initiation ceremony. Two boys await circumcision, both are wearing a band of white beads? around their necks and waists. The boy to the left stands erect with some plantain leaves by his feet. The boy to the right appears to be ‘taking the oath’. He is holding an unidentifiable object in one hand. In front of him there are some leaves "arranged like a dish” (Roscoe 1924, p. 30), with an egg, a thin piece of gourd, a little water and a bunch of sacred herbs: these items are not clearly visible. In the background there is a crowd of "excited admirers...” (Roscoe 1924, p. 30) watching the proceedings.

Place

E Africa; Uganda; Elgon; Mount Elgon

Cultural Affliation

Bagesu

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 C31/86/ 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.

Publication: Image published in Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.) p.258 with the caption: "Bagesu Initiation Ceremony: Taking the Oath.”
Similar images published in Roscoe, J., 1924. The Bagesu and other tribes of the Uganda Protectorate: The Third Part of the Report of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition to Central Africa. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.). p. 29, Plate VI, with the captions "Giving the youths roots to chew to strengthen them,” "Instructing the youths upon taking the oath” and p.30, Plate VII, with the captions: "Taking the oath,” and "Performing the operation” and p. 32, Plate VIII, with the captions "Performing the operation” and "After the operation.” [ED 14/9/2007]

Context: "Boys had to go through an elaborate ceremony of initiation and circumcision before they were considered fit for marriage or take part in the councils of the men of the clan. No force was employed to induce the boys to undergo this ceremony, but until they had been operated upon, they were regarded as children and might not wear clothing or join the men either in the councils or in beer-drinking. Parents and friends were therefore anxious for the boys to be initiated as early as possible. No account was kept of a child’s age, but as soon as a boy showed signs of reaching puberty, he was told that he should prepare himself to attend the next initiation ceremonies.” (Roscoe 1924, p. 27).
"When the boys arrived they stood in a line and a log was placed behind them, which they might later use as a seat if necessary ... An elderly man came forward and described to the boys their duty to the clan, admonishing them to be faithful. When they agreed, by an exclamation of "Eh!” to follow the rules and customs of the clan, he took the bunch of herbs, dipped it in the water, and sprinkled each with a sharp swish on the face and chest. One of the youths next jumped forward with his feet together until he reached the plantain, then, making three jumps in the air, still keeping his legs straight, he came down the third time on the leaf and the egg. It was not necessary to break the egg, and in some places one egg did for three or four boys.” (Roscoe 1924, p.31) [ED 14/9/2007]
"When all had thus sealed their vows, a man came with a packet of secret powder, some of which he placed on a knife-blade and poured upon the boys’ head to give blessing and courage. The mother of a boy also often came forward at this time with a root for her son to chew, which was supposed to check excessive bleeding” (Roscoe 1924, p.31). [ED 14/9/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 14/9/2007]