"A young girl of the Madi, one of the principal tribes settled north of Lake Albert. The scarification of her upper body, made in infancy by rubbing dirt into open cuts, is typical of the Madi, who favor large triangular welts on the torso and thick, vertical scars along the forehead and arms." [Elisofon E., Van Der Post L., 1964: The Nile, the Viking Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and travelled to Africa from January 8, 1947 to end of June 1947.
Local Numbers:
Negative number Nile 1947 R-6, 3.
General:
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
Typed index card reads, "D 3 Mdi. Madi. Sudan. Scarification of woman made by rubbing dirt into open cuts. 4/1947. EE. neg.no. Nile 1947 R-6, 3." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
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.
