Skip to main content

Search

My Visit
Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution

Site Navigation

  • Visit
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Maps and Brochures
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
      • Group Sales
  • What's On
    • Exhibitions
      • Current
      • Upcoming
      • Past
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
  • Explore
    • - Art & Design
    • - History & Culture
    • - Science & Nature
    • - Innovation & Tech
    • Collections
      • Open Access
      • Snapshot
    • Research Resources
      • Libraries
      • Archives
        • Smithsonian Institution Archives
        • Air and Space Museum
        • Anacostia Community Museum
        • American Art Museum
        • Archives of American Art
        • Archives of American Gardens
        • American History Museum
        • American Indian Museum
        • Asian Art Museum Archives
        • Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art
        • Hirshhorn Archive
        • National Anthropological Archives
        • National Portrait Gallery
        • Ralph Rinzler Archives, Folklife
        • Libraries' Special Collections
    • Podcasts
    • Stories
  • Learn
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
      • Art & Design Resources
      • Science & Nature Resources
      • Social Studies & Civics Resources
      • STEAM Learning Resources
      • Professional Development
      • Events for Educators
      • Field Trips
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
  • Support Us
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
      • Smithsonian Call Center
      • Ambassador Program
      • Museum Information Desk
      • Docent Programs
      • Behind-the-Scenes
      • Digital Volunteers
      • Participatory Science
  • About
    • Our Organization
      • Board of Regents
        • Members
        • Committees
        • Reading Room
        • Bylaws, Policies and Procedures
        • Schedules and Agendas
        • Meeting Minutes
        • Actions
        • Webcasts
        • Contact
      • Museums and Zoo
      • Research Centers
      • Cultural Centers
      • Education Centers
      • General Counsel
        • Legal History
        • Internships
        • Records Requests
          • Reading Room
        • Tort Claim
        • Subpoenas & Testimonies
        • Events
      • Office of Human Resources
        • Employee Benefits
        • How to Apply
        • Job Opportunities
        • Job Seekers with Disabilities
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • SI Civil Program
        • Contact Us
      • Office of Equal Opportunity
        • EEO Complaint Process
        • Individuals with Disabilities
        • Small Business Program
          • Doing Business with Us
          • Contracting Opportunities
          • Additional Resources
        • Special Emphasis Program
      • Sponsored Projects
        • Policies
          • Combating Trafficking in Persons
          • Animal Care and Use
          • Human Research
        • Reports
        • Internships
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
      • Annual Reports
      • Metrics Dashboard
        • Dashboard Home
        • Virtual Smithsonian
        • Public Engagement
        • National Collections
        • Research
        • People & Operations
      • Strategic Plan
    • Newsdesk
      • News Releases
      • Media Contacts
      • Photos and Video
      • Media Kits
      • Fact Sheets
      • Visitor Stats
      • Secretary and Admin Bios
      • Filming Requests

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

Pages

  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • …
  • next ›
  • last »
  • Two sons of the Chief of Kasongo, wearing traditional Limba hunter's caps, Telia Village, Sierra Leone

  • Son of the Fulbe blacksmith Kaparana, in dress typically worn during the weeks preceding initiation dance, performs acrobatic dance in front of a Fulbe musical ensemble, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Girl, accompanied by her followers, wears colored beaded headband at her preinitiation dance, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, with four-pronged spingles for laying out thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • End parts of an hammock decorated by Sayo Kamara, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba man wearing magical protective shirt, called saraka, Siemamaya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Gara dyed clothes belonging to the Imam of Bafodea Town, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Two iron wrist rattles, used as musical instruments, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt stamped by Ali Kamara, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Raffia palm stool, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Sword and leather sheath, Dionghassy Village, Guinea

  • Front of a stamped hu ronko shirt, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boys, wearing headties and feminine dress, near small cloth-covered resting-place, preceding the initiation rite, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Yoyo Mansaray preparing a gara dyed native made cotton scarf, called lisa, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba woman with mfuta hairstyle, attending acrobatic dance performances during final preinitiation period for boys, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba drummers accompanying Gbondokali musical ensemble at boys pre-initiation dance, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt stamped by Pa Wosi Conteh, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth band with Shetland wool weft, made by the weaver Pa Modi, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Acrobatic dance that marks Gbondokalii, the boys initiation music, preceding the night before going to the bush, Kamabonsi 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

  • New toilet and wash house, 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

  • Preparing dress and beaded band hanging down the front of their chest, worn for last preinitiation dance for boys, shortly before going to the bush, Kasapena Village, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, weaving tan wool and white native cotton thread weft for the Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Muslim protective charm, called hatumere, made by Pa Hamidu Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Acrobatic dance that marks Gbondokalii, the boys initiation music, preceding the night before going to the bush, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Gara dyed blue cloths hanging up to dry, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Boats used by the weaver Brema Tarawale, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Edge view of rolled up thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Daba Kamara shaping clay pots, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Girls who have just returned from the initiation bush bow down before leaders of the Bondo society, Seredugu 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

  • Water pot belonging to Fatimata, bought in the town of Kabala, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Lansina Bangura, a male professional dancer, performing with Mayoi musical group, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Wrap-around cloth, called tika, from the old Kamuke chiefdom area, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Nuhu Kamara preparing traditional hunter cap, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

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

  • Two hoes, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, in dress typically worn during the weeks preceding his initiation dance, practices his acrobatic dance, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Abandoned Bafodea old site, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Two flexible under-arm skin drums, called hutamba, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Lansina Bangura, a male professional dancer, performing with Mayoi musical group, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Bondo elders, carrying on their heads boxes with sacred objects, accompany initiated girls during their final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Drum belonging to the village chief, Kambia Village, Sierra Leone

  • Drums belonging to Fulbe musicians, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba girl with creative hairstyle including braids and cornrows, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Shed used by a blacksmith, Kamadendena village, Sierra Leone

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

  • Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth made of orange, black and white weft bands, woven by a Limba weaver, near Hindia Village, Guinea

  • Limba woman with body scarifications and kebundu hairstyle, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kuboli, a wood mask worn by a messenger of the men secret society, appearing publicly during the last day of the preinitiation period for boys, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Traditional embroidered hat made by Sunkiye, Kaka Village, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Alymamy Mansaray, weaving at his standing loom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, rewinding threat for his boat sticks, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Wife of the late Pa Bayo, dancing at his memorial, also called second funeral, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Preparing thread for costume to be worn by a boy during his initiation period, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Double stick end shows the way the threads are separated, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, in dress typically worn during the weeks preceding his initiation dance, practices his acrobatic dance, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Boys swimming on the Mongo River, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boys, whistle in mouth, wear their elaborate initiation dance dress and beaded band hanging down the front of their chests. They will perform acrobatic dance for their initiation rite, Gbondokali, shortly before going to the bush, Seredugu 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

  • Young adult males clearing fields at the farm belonging to Suma Mannio, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Boy performing acrobatic dance for his initiation rite, gbondokali, Kadankan village, Sierra Leone

  • Scarf made of European cloth, belonging to Pa Sorie Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Front of a hu ronko shirt dyed by Dunto, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Girls, with elaborate hairstyles and colored beaded headbands, perform a last, very controlled dance during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Girl, accompanied by her followers, wears colored beaded headband at her preinitiation dance, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Wall painting, Kayago Village, Sierra Leone

  • Eight pottery pieces found in Bafodea Town old site, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Shiny clay black pot, Diara Village, Guinea

  • White native thread hat made by Pa Brema Barrie, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The Fulbe weaver, Mabo, making a beater used in weaving, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Swear ritual held by a man from Siemamaya Village, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kakoya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe musical ensemble, from the old Kamuke Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Mayoi musical group performing at memorial, also called second funeral, for the late Pa Bayo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Women in ashobi dress dancing and singing with the Rainbow group, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Women, from Fadagu Chiefdom, hired to perform the Bondo musical instuments at initiation rites for female initiands, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

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

  • Mantia River swamp area being cleared for rice growing, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Paul Hamidu Mansaray using a locally made sling to chase birds away from the rice paddy fields, near Kamadendena village, Sierra Leone

  • Home of the author, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Siridi Conteh making a beaded close-fitting dress, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Thread winder used by a Limba weaver, near Hindia Village, Guinea

  • Metal blades made by Mohamed Bangura, a wood carver and blacksmith, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Leather neck charm, called husebe, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Women carrying hutansi bags, Siemamaya Village, Sierra Leone

  • Girls, with elaborate hairstyles and colored beaded headbands, perform a last, very controlled dance during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The kututeng, a small rectangular metal lamellaphone, with nine to thirteen slender metal tongues, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Rice stalks drying on a pole fence on the way to the farm, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Four Limba boys, three of them will take part in initiation rites, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Husaka bag, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Bands of white native cloth sewed together with thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kadi, from Kayenda, spinning thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Seven iron wrist rattles, called gbelini, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Announcements on a big tree, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Damaged land rover, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

Pages

  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • …
  • next ›
  • last »
Silver rings worn on left hand fingers of Alimamy Salifu Mansaray, Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone
View Slideshow
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
View Finding aid

Footer logo

Link to homepage

Footer navigation

  • 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

Social media links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Sign up for Smithsonian e-news

Get the latest news from the Smithsonian

Email powered by BlackBaud (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use)
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Back to Top