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A fetish dwarf, Upper Mendi, W.C. Africa, 1890-03

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y30446F/12

Scope and Contents

105 x 155 mm. Showing a dwarf holding a long sword: 'The male dwarf ... belonged to another big chief a considerable distance away [from Juru, where Alldridge had photographed a female dwarf in the retinue of the late chief Mendegra]. This dwarf was also regarded in the same light as the other [viz. 'treated with every mark of respect']. Although small, he is a strong healthy and well proportioned man. He is wearing a gree-gree (charm or fetish) round his neck and upon his right arm. When I asked him if he were married, he stated with considerable pride that he had two wives - one of whom he brought to see me. She was a fine young woman, more than a head taller than himself, and apparently very proud of her husband, notwithstanding his diminutive stature.' (Alldridge 1901, page 121).

Alldridge signed a treaty with Batti Kakka, who succeeded Mendegra on March 19 1890 at Juru, and this photograph was probably taken a short time later.

Dates

  • Creation: 1890-03

Creator

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

Fair condition, some overall fading and yellowing.

Related Materials

For the photograph of the female dwarf mentioned, see Y30446F/35.

Bibliography

Reproduced in (Alldridge 1901, figure 36).

General

SG.

Finding aid date

2003-03-21 15:13:32+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

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