IDNO

P.96749.WIL

Description

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“F. W. became Political Officer in Sikkim on January 4th, 1933.
89. “Dorji’s messenger with presents at Chandebi 5.7.33”
See gi: Chandebi
The gifts are probably ale and food. The messenger is seen carrying a wicker and bamboo beer-pot (palang) and two food receptacles (bangchung) wrapped in separate pieces of cloth. They most probably contain rice and/or parched wheat.” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

Place

S Asia; Bhutan; Tongsa; Chendbji [Chendbji]

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Dorji

Photographer

Williamson, Frederick

Collector / Expedition

Date

5 July 1933

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

Place: This record was perviously recorded as ‘ Asia; South Asia; Bhutan; Chandebi” which is from Williamsons spelling but the correct historic place name was Chendbji. The record has been amended accordingly. [Dawa Dem 17/9/2008]

Context: The man in the photo carrying bangchung and palang is also wearing a long sword, which signifies that he might not just be a messenger. [Dawa Dem 18/9/2008]

Publication: Duplicate image published MAA Digital Lab blog post 'A Ceremonial Cup of Tea', 20 June 2023, and captioned: "Figures 1 and 2. Left – George Sherriff, Frank Ludlow, Captain David Tennant, Margaret and Frederick Williamson pausing for tea at Chendebi, Bhutan on their way to Lhasa, Tibet. Photographed by Frederick Williamson in July 1933. MAA N.101062.WIL." [Source: https://www.maadigitallab.org/blog/2023/06/20/a-ceremonial-cup-of-tea/, JD 10/07/2023]

The transcription of this album by Mark Turin and Sara Shneiderman was carried out with reference to Krystina Cech’s catalogue list alone. Alex Nadin has since revised their cataloguing by systematically matching their records to the images. Margaret Williamson’s handwritten captions for photographs have now been transcribed into the Inscription field, and Cech’s descriptions appear in the Description field. Correct entries for Place, Named Person and Other Nos. have also been entered by Alex Nadin. [Sudeshna Guha 29/10/2002]