"Cow funeral" ceremony, Amaobolobo village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: O-89/1951-1953 EEPA 2000-070311
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 December 1951 to March 1953.; Original title reads, "Second funeral or memorial, known in English at Afikpo as the cow funeral, for a deceased woman, done by a man, Oko Amaka for his mother. He killed two cows. This is the second day, when he killed the second cow. Amaobolobo Village. Musicians at the cow funeral coming to receive their share of the cow meat and a present from me. Three nkwa drums, two flutes (ofuokpe), a wooden gong (ekwe), iron gong (egele) and ahia rattle." [Ottenberg field research notes, O Series, December 1951-March 1953].

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.