IDNO

P.99729.VH

Description

“Fiji Native Constabulary”. [von Hügel's annotation]

Photograph of a sotia or ovisa - a lance corporal of the Armed Native Constabulary aboard a ship anchored off Nasova, Ovalau. The muzzleloading .577” Enfield and breechloading Snider Enfield rifles of the 1870s are gone and been replaced by the more modern .455/577” Martini Henry breechloading rifle, complete with sword bayonet. From his weaponry and hairstyle - the men were encouraged to grow their hair subsequent to the 1876 “Little War"” - the picture dates to the early 1880s - about the time, perhaps, that the colonial capital removed to Suva in 1882. His uniform consists of the old pullover jersey-type blue shirt with elbow length sleeves, a white “vandyked” isulu skirt, and a red sash covered by a broad leather cartridge belt complete with cartridge box and snake-headed brass buckle. Regulation footwear unchanged since 1870s. See P.99730.VH to P.99732.VH. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

Physical Condition: Print mounted onto card.

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Viti Levu; ?Suva

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

?1880 - 1886

Collection Name

von Hügel Collection

Source

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.99725.VH to P.99758.VH were in the belted folder now numbered C539/1/. This was formerly kept in paper archive Large Box G; VH1/4/5. It has now been transferred to the photo archive. The lists describing the contents of this box have been returned to the Paper Archive.

Related Image: This print or negative appears to be a unique image within the MAA Photograph Collections. [JD 8/1/2012]

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Fund. [A. Nadin, 4/9/2003]