Photographic Print

Black and white photographic print showing five young girls wearing a cloth, or lappa, around their waist and with their arms uplifted. Their whole bodies have been painted in white clay. The scene is taking place within a village. Written on the back of the image is 5 / Fig. 43, p.136 / Bundu [Sande] girls (whitened) / Alldridge Neg List No 5 . Published as Figure 43 in T. J. Alldridge, 1901, The Sherbro and Its Hinterland (London: Macmillan). Alldridge notes that By way of salute [the Bundu girls] raised their arms above their heads, then all together uttered a weird sound, which once heard can never be forgotten. It is one long-drawn note, which presently grows louder and then gradually dies away; while uttering this note they bend forward until their hands touch the ground, when they slowly rise to their original position (p.136).

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Further Information

• Type: Photographs
• Object: Photographic Print
• Materials: Paper
• Culture Group: Mende, Other
• Dimensions: 163mm x 121mm
• Production Date: 1890-1900
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Thomas Joshua Alldridge (Photographer)
• Museum: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
• Accession Number: BMAG:WA900251

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