Men's secret society painting imoro sticks to be set in front of the ajaba dressing house of Amozo ward, Mgbom village, Afikpo Village-Group, Nigeria

Object Details

Local Numbers: 125/1959-1960 EEPA 2000-070347
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 title reads, "Young adult and older boy men's society members building up and decorating the ajaba roofless high walled site where masqueraders will dress and undress during masquerade season, roughly October - March (dry season). Mgbom Village, each ward has its own ajaba. Painting the flat and long imoro sticks which will be set vertically, one next to the other, in front part of the ajaba, structure being erected. Amebo (Amozo ?) ward, Mgbom Village. Using chalk (nzu) and charcoal to paint." [Ottenberg field research notes, September 1959-December 1960, Part I].; "Ajaba is a roofless dressing house found in each common in villages belonging to the Itim subgroup of Afikpo. The house is used for changing into costumes for public plays and dances of the village secret society." [Ottenberg S., 1971: Leadership and Authority in an African Society; the Afikpo Village-Group. University of Washington Press].

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.