Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Maps and Brochures
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Stories
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Male youths with the mbulu calabash mask performing the isiji dance during initiation rites, Amuro Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

African Art Museum

Male youths with the mbulu calabash mask performing the isiji dance during initiation rites, Amuro Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Object Details

sova.eepa.2000-007_ref1379
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo793d47d03-6f60-44eb-8972-1f4701091f90
Local Numbers
679/1959-1960 EEPA 2000-070871
General
Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Photographer
Ottenberg, Simon
Collection Photographer
Ottenberg, Simon
Place
Africa
Nigeria
Topic
Rites and ceremonies -- Africa
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Cultural landscapes
Masquerades
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa
Masks
Photographer
Ottenberg, Simon
Culture
Igbo (African people)
See more items in
Simon Ottenberg photographs
Extent
1 Slide (col.)
Date
1959-1960
Custodial History
Donated by Simon Ottenberg, 2000.
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.2000-007, Item EEPA 2000-007-0871
Type
Archival materials
Slides
Color slides
Collection Rights
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form
Color slides
Scope and Contents
This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research at Afikpo village-group, southeastern Nigeria, from September 1959 to December 1960.
Original caption reads, "Isiji initiation, apparently at amuro Village, Afikpo. The initiation into the village men's secret society of a man's eldest son. Other sons do a different initiation form as a rule. At this stage in the initiation the boys have been in the bush behind the tower-like structure for some days. They appear in public for the first time in decorated calabash masks and raffia dress to dance about as well. This indicates that they are alive and well and have survived the rigors of the initiation bush is here, typical of Afikpo, rather than at some distance. The tower-like structure publicly marks the initiation bush. Before entering the bush the boys are led to believe that they will have to climb it, but in fact they enter the bush at its base." [Ottenberg field research notes, September 1959-December 1960, Part II].
Collection Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Other Archival Materials
Simon Ottenberg Papers are located at the National Anthropological Archives, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
EEPA.2000-007_ref1379
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo793d47d03-6f60-44eb-8972-1f4701091f90
EEPA.2000-007
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536864686513-1536864686860-5

Showing 1 result(s)

  • Simon Ottenberg photographs


Discover More

Showing 1 result(s)

  • Chuck Brown plays guitar while standing atop Anacostia's Big Chair in 2003. Photo by Steven M. Cummings. Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

    Chuck Brown

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Get Involved
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • EEO & Small Business
  • Shop Online
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use