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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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  • The weaver, Pa Modi, laying out European black and native white warp thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Painted mask carved by Mohamed Bangura, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box belonging to Alimamy Salifu Mansaray, Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Hu ronko shirt prepared by Sunkiye, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cloth made of black and white European cotton thread, woven by a Limba weaver, near Hindia Village, Guinea

  • Small standing female figure, carved by a Limba artist, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Ceremony of measuring the cloth to be used by boy, to be initiated, in the bush, part of the preliminary activities of Limba intiation rites, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt in black and white European warp, made by Pa Modi, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Mural decorations on outside wall of traditional house, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Women's group of several older women, Baherindo, greeting visitors at memorial for a non-Muslim Limba village head, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Muslim protective charm, called hatumere, made by the Fulbe artist Alpha Diallo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Musical group performing during communal farm work, Seredugu Village, Sierra Leone

  • Members of the women secret society, Bondo, returning from the bush with the kampa platform, Kakonso village, Sierra Leone

  • Kurumbo making a ceiling mat called kunanka, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, working at his loom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Cleared land ready for rice seeding, Kamagbembe Village, Sierra Leone

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

  • Scarf belonging to the wife of Pa Yoka, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Girls, elaborately dressed and covered with heavy oil, are about to perform a last, very controlled dance during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Recently cleared fields for rice growing, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated wood storage box, Kakpongpon Village, Sierra Leone

  • Shrine made of stone, Kamadendena village, Sierra Leone

  • Pants with leggings used by boys during initiation rites, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Traditional door, called kukanka, Kamagbembe village, Sierra Leone

  • Wearing blue poplin dresses, band of white woven cloth around the waist and blue headbands, girls who have just completed their first initiation, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Three leather arm bands, know as tebe, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kaparana, a Fulbe blacksmith, and his sons, at work, Kamabungbu village, Sierra Leone

  • Mgbom Village, Nigeria

  • Dwellings, part of Kakomban section, Yomaya Village, Guinea

  • Two Muslim protective charms, called hatumere, made by the Fulbe diviner Alpha Diallo, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Woman close-fitting dress, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Abandoned Bafodea old site, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Kamaniki Village, Sierra Leone

  • Stamp used by hu ronko shirt preparer Dunto, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hu ronko shirt stamped by Sunkiye, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Young masquerader accompanying Kamandigiri boys group, Sakuta village, Sierra Leone

  • Standing human figure depicting large drum player, carved by a Limba boy, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Road work at Kamatentena Village, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

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

  • Banaradi wood gauging tool, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Drum on the left belonging to Kadanso Village chief, drum on the right belonging to Kadankan Village chief, displayed together at the funeral of a non-Muslim Limba village head, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Girls, elaborately dressed and covered with heavy oil, perform a last, very controlled dance during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • A bride and slightly younger women and girls dance and sing in their own village during the day of activities before the wedding, Siemamaya Village, Sierra Leone

  • White cloth with black hatumere designs woven in, made by a Limba weaver, Hindia Village, Guinea

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

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

  • Street vendors selling soap, mirrors, cloth, old clothes, Kakonso village, Sierra Leone

  • Four-pronged spingle with European black thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boy, in dress typically worn during the weeks preceding initiation dance, performs acrobatic dance in front of musical ensemble, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Decorated wood storage box belonging to Alimamy Salifu Mansaray, Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Knitted wool hats made by Pa Brema, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Carved Gbangbani men's secret society horn, Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, Sierra Leone

  • Limba women playing samburi drums, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • At the end of their bush period, initiated boys, wearing their brown native cloths and native cloth cap, announce to friends and relatives that their initiation is just about finished. They also carry on their shoulder a small decorated wood slit gong. Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Fulbe herders driving cows through the town, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Recently made native clothes to be used during initiation rites, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • Girls and women dancing and playing samburi drums during final initiation phase, called "washing hands" or "turning" kakunutu, Kakoya Village, Sierra Leone

  • During the weeks preceding the final initiation dance, an hired Fulbe musical ensemble accompanies boy practicing his acrobatic dance, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Repaired palm wine gourd, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Mural decorations on outside wall of the late village chief's house, Sirekude Village, Sierra Leone

  • Wearing blue poplin dresses, band of white woven cloth around the waist and blue headbands, girls who have just completed their first initiation, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hunting articles for sale, Bindi market, Sierra Leone

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

  • Decorated house post in a traditional round house, Kamaka Village, 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

  • Girls, wearing colored beaded headband, dancing and singing at their preinitiation dance, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Young adult males clearing fields at Mantia River swamp area, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Gourd with string and beads, called husaka, played only by women, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Native cotton thread roll, used by the weaver Alymamy Mansaray, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver Momodu Conde working at a side loom, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Limba boys, to be initiated, some wearing saraka cloth, others wearing feminine dress and knitted wool hats, preceding the initiation rite, Kadankan village, Sierra Leone

  • The weaver, Pa Modi, separating the heddles, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Yeniba Kamara making a band by stringing beads onto threads attached to a post, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Popular European style cloth, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Mamadu Adama Barrie embroidering a hat with European thread, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Hills past the village, Kakonso village, Sierra Leone

  • Several protective charms, called saraka, including animal horn, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Daba Kamara preparing mud in order to shape new clay pots, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Front of hu ronko shirt belonging to Siaka Kamara, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Communal labor of clearing land at Mantia River swamp area, near Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Pa Brema Kamara, the diviner from Fadagu Chiefdom, making a basket, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Fulbe musician performing at the Muslim prayer ground, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Headdress worn by initiated boys, at the end of their bush period, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Alimamy Salifu Mansaray, Chief of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, in his hammock, Kadanso Village, Sierra Leone

  • Pair of earrings and a finger ring, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Paul Hamidu Mansaray wearing stamped hu ronko shirt with original design, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Members of the women secret society, Bondo, dancing and singing after the female initiands has been moved off into the bush, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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

  • Two musicians with drum belonging to the village chief, Kamabonsi Village, Sierra Leone

  • House belonging to Alpha Musa, a Youth Leader, Kamanda Village, Sierra Leone

  • Decorated snuff box, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

  • Pa Dunto rolling European thread on a stick for weaving, 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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