IDNO

N.101822.MF

Description

Sacrifice of a cow by the Tɛndaana to a group of Tallensi men sit around an earth mound, probably an earth shrine, in open landscape with trees in the background. A clan elder sits on the mound addressing the circle of men. Behind him stands a cow which, according to Fortes’ notes, will be sacrificed to the ancestor. The men are wearing cloth wrappers across the shoulder or cotton smocks and have calabash bowls beside them on the ground.

Place

W Africa; Ghana; Upper East Region [Gold Coast; Northern Territories]

Cultural Affliation

Tallensi

Named Person

Photographer

?Fortes, Meyer

Collector / Expedition

Fortes, Meyer

Date

January 1935

Collection Name

Fortes Collection

Source

Drucker-Brown, Susan

Format

Glass Negative Halfplate

Primary Documentation

Other Information

N.101822.MF - N.101832.MF were kept in the box now numbered C546/.

The inscription on the metal box numbered C545/ does not fully correspond with the contents.

Context: Fortes discusses the politico-jural affairs of the Tallensi in depth and discusses the dynamics of clanship, kinship and ritual allegiance and the complementary roles between two politico-jural functionaries: the chiefs (na’ab) and the Custodians of the earth, (tendanna). The complementary functions of chiefship and tendannaship are rooted directly in the social structure, but are also validated by myths of origin and backed by the most powerful religous sanctions of the ancestor cult and the cult of the earth (Fortes, 1949, p.3).

Context: Sacrifices are an important part of rituals, but the sacrifice of a cow is for special occasions. Fortes writes, “that a cow is never slaughtered specifically for its food by the ordinary man. As a rule beef is obtained from sacrifices to the ancestor spirits, always made by men of senior status, and from animals offered during funeral ceremonies, donkey-meat only from the lattter offerings. The carcase is usually divided up among a large number of people in acordance with kinship status. (Fortes, M. and Fortes, S., 1936, p.248). [Alicia Fentiman, 16/4/2008]

Context: In relation to the clothing tha men wear; it is noted. “Frafra men now wear commercially produced slacks or shorts and various kinds of cotton smocks. By the 1970’s Fortes noted that “many [men] have two or three garments -a cloth and a tunic, for instance, while well-to-do men have considerable wardrobes” (1945: 11, n.1). These smocks or tunics are tailored from strips of cloth woven by non-Frafra men on a horizontal loom. The Frafra themselves do not weave. ... In the late 1930’s Fortes remarked: “All cotton goods are imported. The Mossi cloth used in former days is still a favourite. especially for loin cloths and caps, and tunics for special wear. The bulk of it is still imported for French territory, but there are some Mossi weavers at Boleya (Bolgatanga) and Zuarangu who add to the supply (1945:11, n. 1)”. Smith, F.T., ‘Frafra Dress,’ African Arts, Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 36-42+92.). [ED 3/12/2007]

Context: “In addition, the cut of the narrowband smock reflects status and social importance. The most widespread and ordinary type is the danseka, a sleeveless smock (Fig. 9). This type, which can be worn by any adult, is the typical male garment of northern Ghana. ... According to a Frafra tailor, “Anyone can wear a danseka, even a chief” (interview at Zuarangu, February 1973). Except for the danseka which is usually purchased in the market, a smock of any importance is commissioned from a “reputable” tailor, especially one who handcrafts his product.” (Smith, 1982)

Bibliographical Reference: Fortes, M. and S. Fortes. “Food in the Domestic Economy of the Tallensi” Africa, Vol.9, No.2, pp.237-276.

Bibliographical Reference: Fortes, Meyer, 1945. Dynamics of Clanship Among the Tallensi (London: Oxford University Press).

Bibliographical Reference: Fortes, Meyer, 1949. The Web of Kinship Among the Tallensi (London: Oxford University Press).

Bibliographical Reference: Fortes, Meyer, 1987. Religion, Morality and the Person: Essays on Tallensi Religion (London: Oxford University Press).

Bibliographical Reference: Smith, F.T., 1982, ‘Frafra Dress,’ African Arts, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 36-42+92).

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Sarah Worden 12/4/2007] [Alicia Fentiman, 3/6/2008]