IDNO

N.102641.MF

Description

The ‘District Commissioner?’ talking to a large group of Tallensi people seated on the ground. The District Commissioner is seated at a table (to the right), wearing a pith helmet. Many of the Tallensi are wearing printed cloth? tunics, woven smocks and cloth caps. In the background a large umbrella is visible. [AF 13/6/2008]

Place

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

Cultural Affliation

Tallensi

Named Person

Photographer

Fortes, Meyer

Collector / Expedition

Fortes, Meyer

Date

?February - ?April 1934

Collection Name

Fortes Collection

Source

Drucker-Brown, Susan

Format

Film Negative Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

N.102560.MF - N.102652.MF were kept in the negative album “IV” now numbered C558/.

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Jocelyne Dudding, 1/11/2007]

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 also 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]

Clothing: “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 Zuanrangu 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]

Clothing: “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, F.T., 1982, ‘Frafra Dress,’ African Arts, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 36-42+92). [ED 3/12/2007]

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. [Elisabeth Deane 22/2/2008]