Elders acting as messengers during the upward movement of the Afikpo age grades, Amaizu Village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: 489/1959-1960 EEPA 2000-070695
General: Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

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.

Scope and Contents: This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research at Afikpo village-group, southeastern Nigeria, from September 1959 to December 1960.; Original caption reads, "Scenes of Afikpo the upward movement of the senior age grades. The new Ekpe Uke Eto is replacing the old one, the latter moving to Ekpe Uke Esa, which is the senior functioning Afikpo age grade. The old Ekpe Uke Esa moves to Oni Ekara grade. This movement occurs about every nine years, each grade having a range of about nine years of age. This event takes place at Amaziu Village, Afikpo. There is rich feasting at this event which takes place sometime after the yam harvest, perhaps October. The messengers for the event on the road between the old Ekpe Uke Esa and the old Ekpe Uke Eto. The two groups do not meet." [Ottenberg field research notes, September 1959-December 1960, Part II].

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.