IDNO

N.101826.MF

Description

A large group of local chiefs at a gathering to meet the Chief Commissioner, W. J. A. Jones (Fortes 1945: xiii), at Zaurungu. To the right of the gathering two large umbrellas are held above the dignitaries whilst others sit on the ground where some are also shaded by umbrellas. The men are wearing traditional cotton robes, woven wide brimmed hats or fitted cloth hats. [AF 16/4/2008]

Place

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

Cultural Affliation

Tallensi

Named Person

W. J. A. Jones

Photographer

?Fortes, Meyer

Collector / Expedition

Fortes, Meyer

Date

24 November 1934

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: Zuarungu was, at the time of Fortes fieldwork, the colonial administrative head-quarters of Zuarungu District. Fortes acknowledges WJA Jones in the foreward of his book, “My wife and I owe a special debt of gratitude to the then Chief Commissioner Mr W.J.A. (now Sir Andrew) Jones for the keen interest he took in our work and for the many helpful arrangements he made to facilitate it. We have aalso to thank Sir Andrew and Lady Jones for many personal kindnesses. I owe my understanding of the spirit and methods of the colonial administration chiefly to Sir Andrewa nd his officers” Fortes 1945, p.xiii. [Alicia Fentiman 16/4/2008]

Context: Fortes describes the area, “The district of Zuarungu is a typical portion of the Trans-Volta plateau. A number of bouldery hills from 100 to 500 feet high are scattered over is undulating surface. The most conspicuous are the Tong Hills, a small range stretching for about four miles just north of the river. The Tallensi occupy less than half of Zuarungu District” (Fortes, 1945, pp. 3-4). [Alicia Fentiman, 16/4/2008]

Context: Certain styles in men’s smocks denote certain status: “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. The second type of Frafra smock is the bana’a is associated with relative success and well being. The jampa, which indicates high status and/or minor chieftaincy, has sleeves that extend to the wrist. The fourth and most significant type is the kparikoto. which has long, full sleeves assicated with chieftaincy and paramount chiefs.(Smith, 1982, p.39) [Alicia Fentiman 23/4/2008.
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).

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Alicia Fentiman 16/4/2008]