IDNO

N.19673.ROS

Description

The interior of the princesses house in the Ankole region, showing patterned decor such as painted geometric shapes, patterned cloth? and woven reed? walls. [ED 07/02/2008]

Physical Condition: Glass is broken in corner. All pieces of glass present. [12/1998]

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

Glass Negative Halfplate

Primary Documentation

Other Information

This negative was kept in glass negative box marked C32/1/ by the cataloguer. The glass negative box was kept in box marked C32/ by the cataloguer.
Previously stored on Shelf 4, in group of 4 wooden boxes numbered 180.

Context?: "The huts are ranged around the kraal and are seldom closed. The more important chiefs and people have larger huts with three or four tree stems planted in the ground to support the roofs, and a little more care is bestowed upon them in building; inside there is a place for calves, and the dais upon which the milk pots and mayembe (fetiches) are placed. The divisions in the huts are formed by hanging skins and bark cloths from the roof as mentioned above. The bedsteads are formed by planting four stakes with forked tops into the ground, the two for the head being longer than those for the feet; in the forks the head-piece and foot-piece are laid, and the side pieces tied upon these; over these cross-pieces are laid and then a hide on the top completes the bed. The wealthy people may have a few bark-cloths or bed covers, but the majority only use their ordinary clothing; many of the serfs have no bed at all, but lie on the floor where they happen to be near the fire, covering themselves with a scanty bit of hide generally worn over their shoulders; children rarely have a bed, they go to sleep where they are when drowsiness comes upon them.” (Roscoe, J., 1907, "The Bahima: A Cow Tribe of the Enkole in the Uganda Protectorate,’ The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 37. pp. 93 - 118.). [ED 30/10/2007]

Context: "The country is especially suitable for cattle-breeding, and the governing class is composed of a people who are entirely pastoral, and who are known among the neighbouring tribes as Bahuma or in some cases, Bahima. These Bahuma must have invaded the country long ago, conquering the aborigines, who were agricultural people, and making them their slaves, or Bahera, as they are called. These Bahera are an improvident class who serve the Bahuma, but for themselves keep only a few sheep or goats with which to purchase wives or pay fines. They cultivate fields of millet, but raise only enough for their intermediate use, and, in their desire for drink, they often use so much of this for brewing beer that their households are reduced to great straits before the next season’s crops are available.” (Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), p. 53). [ED 14/11/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 14/11/2007]