The photograph depicts John Adetoyese Laoye I, Timi of Ede. "'Alapo Tiemi Tiemi' (he who has a quiver full of arrows) is one of a dozen royal titles that are perpetuated in the town by the descendants of kings who took refuge in Ede in times of wars." [Ulli Beier, 1958: A Year of Sacred Festivals in One Yoruba Town. Nigerian Magazine]. John Adetoyese Laoye I comes from a family of drummers and was taught the art by his maternal uncle. He has made every effort to keep the tradition alive. 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 3.12 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Time Life no. 58482 76
Frame value is 27.
Slide No. C 2 YRB 3.12 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.
