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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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  • Undecorated clay medicine pot, from Guinea, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Large wrap-around cloth, called tika, from the old Kamuke chiefdom area, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Kunkuma musical ensemble performing at a memorial, also called second funeral, for a deceased woman, Kakonso Village, Sierra Leone

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

  • European cloth stamped by hu ronko shirt preparer Dunto, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Several protective charms, called saraka, near 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, Kasapena Village, Sierra Leone

  • Beaded headband, called kuta, belonging to Mari Conteh, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, laying out European black and native white warp thread in front of his house, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Young boy playing the kurogi, a side-blown cow horn used in calling for communal work and in marriages, Kamagbembe Village, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe men driving a cow, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Front of hu ronko shirt prepared by Pa Wosi Conteh, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Female relative collecting small sums in coins while attending the boys final preinitiation dance, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Wives of the late Pa Hono, a Limba village head, at his second funeral, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Leather worker preparing bark for leather dying, Hindia Village, Guinea

  • During the weeks preceding final initiation dance, a two-sided huban drum being tied up by one of the hired musicians, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Sword and metal sheath belonging to the father of Pa Wosi, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Two arrows bought from Salifu Mansaray, son of the former Town Chief of Bafodea Town, Mamadu Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kasasi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Drum belonging to the village chief, used only for announcement, and 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

  • Shrine, close to house of village chief, Dalipoto Village, Sierra Leone

  • Copper blade knife; two nearly made European iron spear points; folding knife; small animal horn anti-witchcraft charm; small saraka (protective charm) hammer; sling shot of raffia, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Wooden mortars at Kuweri farm village, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Drum used at the small mosque, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Tiro, a Fulbe shopkeeper, wearing his kaftana gown, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Two short wheel Land Rovers, near Labe, Guinea

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

  • Decorated wood storage box belonging to Tala Kamara, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Two linked leather protective charms, called saraka, used by Pa Hamidu Kamara, the Speaker of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, 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, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Girls, elaborately dressed and covered with heavy oil, return from the stream to the village for a last, very controlled dance during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Kayago Village, Sierra Leone

  • Boy, whistle in mouth, in initiation dance costume from the northern area of the chiefdom, wearing the cowry-shell face-piece, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Isi ikoro (head-drum) in the ancestral shrine house, Mma obu (ancestor-rest house), for Agbogo ward, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Car ferry at Ndibe Beach, on the Cross River, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Various Afikpo wooden masks, made by the sculptor Ewale Nnale, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Variation of a beke wooden mask, made by the sculptor Luelu Otta Otta, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Limba boy, during his initiation rite, offers small dashes to the musician hired by his followers, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Women, wearing similar dresses, dancing at a chieftaincy title ceremony, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Mural paintings depicting isiji dance performed during initiation rites, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Mural paintings depicting masqueraders performing in a njenji parade, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Okpa player, an Ekpe-like masquerader in net body costume, at a feast and song festival called Mbe (turtle), Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Oyiri Egwuni shaping a clay pot, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Michael Agwu, art teacher at the University of Port Harcourt, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, whistle in mouth, wearing initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Mural painting depicting an elder, in the village commons, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Agbogo obiogo, the resthouse of Agbogo ward, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Mural paintings depicting masqueraders performance during an omume title ceremony, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Variation of a beke wooden mask, made by the sculptor Luelu Otta Otta, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Variation of an igri wooden mask, made by the sculptor Luelu Otta Otta, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • On the wall of a sitting structure, a mural painting depicting a dancing girl, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Oil paintings by Michael Agwu, art teacher at the University of Port Harcourt, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Whipping Day activities during the feast and song festival called Mbe (turtle), Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • An unusual ocici bowl, made by the sculptor Oko Iduma, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, on top of a wooden pole, wearing initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Nnachi Enwo, Akpo Chukwu and Simon Ottenberg, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Farming area and recently constructed buildings, near Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, is accompanied by musician playing slit wood gong called nkali, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, on top of a wooden pole, wearing initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, and musician playing slit wood gong called nkali, are offered small dashes, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Whipping Day activities during the feast and song festival called Mbe (turtle), Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • General view of Afikpo Village-Group, Between Amuro Village and Mgbom Village, Nigeria

  • Housing for teachers at the Government Secondary School for boys, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Door at the home of the new Chief of Afikpo, Ugwuego Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Along the Bonny River, Okrika, Nigeria

  • A wooden ceremonial chalk bowl, known as Okwa nzu, belonging to Chief Vincent Inya, the Icha (ruler) of Ozizza, Ozizza communities, Nigeria

  • Domestic scene in Ezi Akputa compound, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Elaborate painted walking stick, Amachara Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Recently built sitting structure, with mural painting depicting dancer wearing a mba mask, in one of the ward common, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Cement sculpture, made by Oko Abagha, depicting an elder of the Ekpe Uke Esa grade, Amaizu Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boys, with their helper, wearing initiation dance costumes and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Modern building, now abandoned, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Elder's reception for the Ozizza Chief to thank him for the harvest, Ozizza communities, Nigeria

  • Ugwuego Village, Nigeria

  • Recently initiated boys, from the northern area of the chiefdom, wearing native cloth cap with a central cowry decoration, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Mother and child figure, carved by the sculptor Luelu Otta Otta, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Canoes at Ndibe Beach, on the Cross River, Nigeria

  • Shortly before going to the bush, Limba boy, wearing his initiation dance costume and the cowry-shell face-piece typical from the northern area of the chiefdom, is accompanied by musician playing slit wood gong called nkali, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Chief Vincent Inya, the Icha (ruler) of Ozizza, Ozizza communities, Nigeria

  • Poster made by the Afikpo artist Oko Abagha, Amaizu Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Mural paintings depicting isiji dance performed during initiation rites, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Whipping Day activities during the feast and song festival called Mbe (turtle), Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Ozizza Communities, Nigeria

  • Okpa player, an Ekpe-like masquerader in net body costume, at a feast and song festival called Mbe (turtle), Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • On walls of elaborate structure built for initiation rites, a mural painting depicting isiji dance performance, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Road sign, Ukpa Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Fish pond, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Group of several middle-age and older women singing, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-group, Nigeria

  • Structure built for initiation rites, with mural painting depicting isiji dance performance, Amozo ward common, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Women, wearing similar dresses, dancing at a chieftaincy title ceremony, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • General view of Afikpo from the Imo State Hotel, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Clay pots of various sizes, made by Oyiri Egwuni, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • People standing around waiting for boys to return wearing their initiation dance costumes, Kasongo Village, Sierra Leone

  • Event to bid farewell to Simon and Carol Ottenberg, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Recently constructed Elogo obiogo, the resthouse of Elogo ward, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Elaborate structure built for initiation rites, with mural painting depicting isiji dance performance, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Recently built sitting structure, with mural painting depicting a married woman and a dancing girl, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Recently built sitting structure, with Ikoro gong and mural painting depicting an elder of the Oni Ekara grade, Ndibe Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Women, wearing similar dresses, dancing at a chieftaincy title ceremony, Mgbom Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

  • Variation of Afikpo wooden masks, made by the sculptor Oko Abagha, Amaizu Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

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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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