Pitt Rivers Museum Luo Visual History
1998.349.102.1 (Film negative)
Key Information
Photographer
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Description
A man posing for the camera with his shield and pole held in a mock fighting posture, as part of the Luo funeral ceremony known as tero buru. This ceremony represents the metaphorical driving away of death, by the herding of cattle, dancing and other performances. The one photographed here is the funeral ceremony of a dead man, which unlike that of a woman is performed by men driving cattle out and in, as well as performing dances around the homestead. The man in the photo is performing a dance and is dressed in full funeral gear including a long pole (odunga) and a shield made of cow hide (okumba or kuot depending on the size). But this one is certainly okumba, a combat shield much used in war by Luo warriors. He has also a traditional woven hat which in most cases was fitted with a bunch of bird feathers. [Gilbert Oteyo 9/9/2004]
Cultural Group
Luo
Region
Nyanza
Pitt Rivers Source
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date of Photograph
1936
Accession number
1998.349.102.1
Further Information
Photographic Process
Negative film nitrate
Date Acquired
Donated 1988
For citation use:
Pitt Rivers Museum Luo Visual History
"1998.349.102.1"
6 Jun. 2008. Pitt Rivers Museum.
Accessed 19 Nov. 2015
<http://photos.prm.ox.ac.uk/luo/photo/1998.349.102.1/>.
© Pitt Rivers Museum