The photograph depicts John Adetoyese Laoye I, Timi of Ede, wearing "crown made of leopard skin, one of the three symbols that reflect the story of origin from Old Oyo. It affirms that the origin of the leadership was military and not a part of the ritual dissemination of authority from Ife." [Roy Sieber, 1973: Ede, Crafts and Surveys. pp.45-49. Summer 1973. African Arts]. During his trip to Nigeria, Elisofon visited Ede, one of oldest towns of Yoruba people; founded by Timi Agbale to establish a settlement to protect the Oyo caravan route to Benin. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.
Local Numbers:
C 2 YRB 3.10 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Time Life no. 58482 75
Frame value is 33.
Slide No. C 2 YRB 3.10 EE 59
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
