Ceremony of measuring the cloth to be used by the boys in the bush, part of the preliminary activities of Limba intiation rites, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

Object Details

Local Numbers: 2547/1978-1980
General: Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

See more items in: Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples; Simon Ottenberg photographs of Limba and Afikpo Peoples / Series 1: Limba Peoples, Sierra Leone and Guinea / 1.2: Field Research, Year Two / Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone

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. 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.

Scope and Contents: This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research in northern Sierra Leone within Bafodea Town, the capital of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, while on an Art Historical and Anthropological Field Research from October of 1978 through July of 1980.; Original title reads, "At Bafodea Town. Measuring cloth for boys' initiation and perparing the gown. Measuring the white native made cloth bands in front of the Bafodea's Paramount Chief's home, as is the custom. This announces to the chief, who is sitting on the porch of his home, which boys are ready to do the initiation. The measuring is done individually for each boy, who is present, and is often done by a man who will be the boys' helper in the bush. A large crowd watches this activity, often relatives of both genders of the boys. There is a very systematic way of measuring the cloth. It will be large and loose on the boys. The helper has to ensure that the cloth is ready to be measured." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].

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.