Skip to main content

Chin burial grounds, 1889 - 1891

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y3029A/26

Scope and Contents

152 x 107 mm. Showing groups of the characteristic carved wooden headstones, with a Chin man standing in the foreground: 'The memorial erected in the North to departed Chiefs consists of a thick plank of hard wood with ordinarily the head of a man carved on the top, with a spike protruding from the skull. The head represents the deceased, and on the plank are carved men, women, children, animals of all sorts, gongs, beads, guns and so on ... The carving is rough and none are likely now to be erected, for the Chins say they are no longer allowed to take heads of captured slaves, and therefore the life of Chiefs is no longer worth perpetuating in memorials.' (Scott 1900, volume 1, part 1, page 472).

The memorials seen here roughly correspond to this description although the carving appears far more abstract and the planks have two spikes protruding from the top.

Dates

  • Creation: 1889 - 1891

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Good condition, apart from slight fading along top edge.

Existence and Location of Copies

CN 2213.

General

SG.

Date information

DateText: The date is approximate..

Finding aid date

2003-03-20 14:23:42+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom