Woman drops pestle over her back, part of the huboga rite, also called memorial or second funeral, for the late Pa Salifu Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

Object Details

Local Numbers: H-30/1978-1980
General: Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

See more items in: Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples; Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples / Series 1: Limba Peoples, Sierra Leone and Guinea / 1.2: Field Research, Year Two / Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

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. Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.

Scope and Contents: This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research in northern Sierra Leone within Bafodea Town, the capital of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, from February, 16, 1988 through March 04, 1988.; Original title reads, "Throwing over the pestle and mortar at the closing sara (ritual event) of the huboga. A woman holds a pestle in each hand at her back and throws them backward. The mortar is supposed to be knocked over as well. If it is not this is a sign that a member of the family will soon die. This act is only done at such a memorial for a deceased person and symbolizes the departing of his or her spirit." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, February 1988-March 1988].

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.