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Dancing women in Upper Mendi, wearing a musical appendage called the Bunjue. Jowati, Upper Mendi, 1891-03

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y30446F/22

Scope and Contents

109 x 152 mm. A full length portrait of three girls, taken from the rear and in profile showing the Bunjue tied round their waists: 'Figure 67 [i.e. this print] shows three women having round their waists a musical instrument called the 'Bunjue'. This consists of a foundation of palm-leaf rope, from which depends a quantity of short pieces of rattan cane. Fixed to the other end of the cane are several halves of hard shells of large seeds. As the women dance, which they do with great energy, the sound of these half-shells and the cane all rattling together, creates a noise which is quite in keeping with the native taste and is warmly applauded. I was very fortunate in obtaining this photograph, for, curiously enough, I have never seen a similar dance since.' (Alldridge 1901, page 244).

A photograph taken at the town of Befuin (?Bafeihun) near Juru, to which Alldridge was going to witness the crowning of Batte Kakka, paramount chief of the Gaura country in succession to Mendingra (or Mendegra), a ceremony which took place on April 1 1891.

Dates

  • Creation: 1891-03

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

Good condition, apart from slight yellowing.

Bibliography

Reproduced in (Alldridge 1901, figure 67).

General

SG.

Finding aid date

2003-03-24 10:26:35+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

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