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Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples

National Museum of African Art

Object Details

Photographer
Ottenberg, Simon
Collector
Ottenberg, Simon
Place
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Guinea
Africa
Occupation
Weavers
Topic
Beadwork
Headdresses -- headgear -- Africa
Rites and ceremonies -- Africa
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Cultural landscapes
Music
Dance
Photographer
Ottenberg, Simon
Culture
Fulbe (African people)
Igbo (African people)
Mandingo (African people)
Limba (African people)
Fula (African people)
See more items in
Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples
Summary
The collection primarily includes photographs of Limba peoples taken by anthropologist Simon Ottenberg during field research in northern Sierra Leone within Bafodea Town, the capital of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, and Guinea, from October 1978 through July 1980. The collection also includes photographs taken while conducting field research at an Afikpo village-group, in southeastern Nigeria, from January 30, 1988 to February 5, 1988 and in 1992.
Biographical / Historical
Simon Ottenberg (1923-) is Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Washington. He studied under Melville J. Herskovits and William R. Bascom at Northwestern University. He was a 1970 Guggenheim fellow. He has written at least seven scholarly books and has curated numerous exhibitions.
Extent
3145 Slides (photographs) (color)
Date
between 1978-1992
Custodial History
16 photographs taken by Pa Huff, a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, at Bafodea old town and new town were donated to Ottenberg in 1999 by former field assistant Paul Hamaidu Mansaray.
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.2005-001
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Slides (photographs)
Color slides
Black-and-white transparencies
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged into two series by peoples, and further arranged by location. Arrangement Series 1: Limba Peoples, Sierra Leone and Guinea, 1978-1980 Subseries 1.1: Field Research, Year One, October 1978-August 1979 Subseries 1.2: Field Research, Year Two, September 1979-1980 Series 2: Afikpo Peoples, Guinea and Nigeria, 1988, 1992
Processing Information
Finding aid by Eden Orelove, 2018. Slides digitized in 2017.
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.
Genre/Form
Color slides
Black-and-white transparencies
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily includes photographs of Limba peoples taken by anthropologist Simon Ottenberg during field research in northern Sierra Leone within Bafodea Town, the capital of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, and Guinea, from October 1978 through July 1980. The collection also includes photographs taken while conducting field research at Afikpo village-groups in Guinea and southeastern Nigeria, from January 30, 1988 to February 5, 1988 and in 1992. There are also some photographs by Pa Huff, a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, Venice Lamb, and Professor Labelle Prussin.
Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Related Archival Materials note
Related EEPA collections include: EEPA 1996-020 and EEPA 1994-012 (video-recorded interviews conducted by Ottenberg), and EEPA 2000-007 (photographs taken in Southeastern Nigeria within the Afikpo Village Group). Simon Ottenberg Papers are located at the National Anthropological Archives, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1536868297930-1536868298400-0
Metadata Usage
CC0

In the Collection

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  • Ali Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Three slings for driving birds at the farm, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt with European thread stripe in center of each band, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Wearing their blue waistcloths, girls who have completed their first initiation watch boy performing acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Kadankan village, Sierra Leone

  • Tamoi, a female dancer, performing with kukangtan musical group at a memorial, also called second funeral, for a deceased person, Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • At the end of their bush period, initiated boys, coming out to their community in single file, wearing their brown native cloths and native cloth cap. They also carry on their shoulder a small decorated wood slit gong. Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box made by the Fulbe blacksmith Kaparana, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Wives of the late Pa Bayo going to the river for ritual washing, at his memorial, also called second funeral, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth with bird design made by hu ronko shirt preparer Dunto, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Paul Hamidu Mansaray displaying hammock of an hunter, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, straightening out the iyesi threads, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Leather workers making a shoe, Hindia Village, Guinea

  • Mohamed Bangura, a wood carver, making a bird figure, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth being stamped by hu ronko shirt preparer Dunto, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Secular Limba musical group known as Poro, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boys, on the shoulders of their followers, returning from the bush where they were dressed in an elaborate costume and beaded band hanging down the front of their chest, shortly before performing final acrobatic dance for their preinitiation period, Kadankan Village, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt stamped by Amadu Mansaray, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Round house with thatched roof, Yogobay Village, Sierra Leone

  • Standing human figure, carved by a local artist, Freetown, Sierra Leone

  • Several cloths made by the weaver Mabo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba woman clearing her groundnut farm, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Secular Limba musical group known as Poro, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba weaver working at his side loom, Kakondobii Village, Sierra Leone

  • Pa Hamidu Kamara, the Speaker of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Triangular charm, sheep's horn charm, leather powder case, stone ring part of an iron walking stick, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Dalipoto village chief weaving, with moveable seat arrangement, Dalipoto Village, Sierra Leone

  • The shuttle stick of the weaver Pa Modi, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Scarf belonging to Pa Yoka, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hunting shirt worn by a village man, Kakoya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe man wearing a kusaibe gown, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • New road between Sokerella site and Sirekude Village, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Standing female figure, carved by a local artist, Freetown, Sierra Leone

  • Binti and Soda performing with Mayoi musical group at memorial, also called second funeral, for the late Alymamy Sayo, Kamagbembe Village, Sierra Leone

  • Gara dyed native made cotton scarf, belonging to Yoyo Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Modern style houses with metal roofs, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • Clarke Speed wearing a traditional Limba hunter cap, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box made by Sori Mansaray, Sakuta Village, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated gourd spoon used by the bride to receive small sums in coins before being stopped by the groom's party, Siemamaya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Acrobatic dance performed by boy to be initiated, preceding the night before going to the bush, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • At Home of Chief Alimamay Salifu, Head of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated cane, carved by a local artist, Freetown, Sierra Leone

  • Limba man wearing Muslim dress called tuntola, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • The author field assistant, Fatimata Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Thread used by Momodu Kamara on his standing loom, Sakuta Village, Sierra Leone

  • Ruins of a wall made of stones, abandoned Kakoya old site, Kakoya village, Sierra Leone

  • Round houses with thatched roofs, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Woman blue poplin cloth used during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Kakoya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Son of Kaparana, a Fulbe blacksmith, incising a wood storage box, Kamabungbu village, Sierra Leone

  • Communal farm work at the farm, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Drummers from various Limba villages, playing together at the memorial for a non-Muslim Limba village head, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Mariama Mansaray with creative hairstyle including braids and cornrows, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Small decorated wood slit gong used by initiated boys at the end of their bush period. Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe musical group performing during road work, Telia Village, Sierra Leone

  • An old board prepared in the traditional way with an adze, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Sipe, a sort of fruit for upset stomachs, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Spools of hale thread used by the weaver Bumbun, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Men seated in front of the new village chief house for his crowning ceremony, Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • Worshippers attending Prayer Day, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Gara dyed clothes belonging to the late Imam of Bafodea Town, on display for sale, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated posts at the village mosque, Koin, Guinea

  • Standing male figure, carved by Pa Brema Kamara, the diviner from Fadagu Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Left to right, Paul Hamidu Mamba Mansaray, Sori Mansaray, Pa Salifu Mansaray, Mamba Kamara, Yeredi Mansaray, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • Wearing their blue waistcloths, girls who have completed their first initiation offer small dashes to boy performing acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Kadankan village, Sierra Leone

  • Kamakumba Village, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe stool and bowl, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Second-hand clothes for sale, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Yoyo Mansaray making a fish trap, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Sara Conteh sewing an hu ronko, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Side view of rolled up thread, made of native white, European white and black cotton thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance dress, performs acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Crowning of the new village chief, Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his elaborate initiation dance dress and beaded band hanging down the front of his chest, performs acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Bafodea women planting groundnuts, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box made by the Fulbe blacksmith Kaparana, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Clothes made by the Fulbe weaver Mabo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Muctaro Mansaray, a blind musician, playing eleven key kututeng, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Yeredi Mansaray, the blacksmith, holding a cone used in smithing, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • Three Fulani-style knitted hats, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Alenke, working at a standing loom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba woman, Yenba Mansaray, with body scarifications, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance dress and beaded band hanging down the front of his chest, waits to perform acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth of European and native thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Clothes made by the Fulbe weaver Mabo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The guard of the mission station at Mission Hill, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Animal figure depicting a snake, carved by Salifu Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Women playing bondo musical instruments, Kamaniki Village, Sierra Leone

  • Suma Mansaray playing nkali slit wood gong at memorial, also called second funeral, for the late Bulu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance dress, performs acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance dress, performs acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • New toilet and wash house, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Mohamed Bangura, a wood carver, making an standing female figure, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance dress, performs acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boys, wearing their initiation dance dresses, wait to perform acrobatic dance for their initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Kasapena Village, Sierra Leone

  • Tamoi, a female dancer, performing with kukangtan musical group at a memorial, also called second funeral, for a deceased person, Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe rattle players, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Gathering for the sacrifice at Sokerella, which will be the new village town site, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Two beaters used in weaving, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Samburi drum, played only by women, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Design on top of decorated wood storage box made by the Fulbe blacksmith Kaparana, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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Silver rings worn on left hand fingers of Alimamy Salifu Mansaray, Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone
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