Son of the Fulbe blacksmith Kaparana, in dress typically worn during the weeks preceding initiation dance, performs acrobatic dance in front of a Fulbe musical ensemble, Bafodea Town, Sierra Leone
This photograph was taken by Dr. Simon Ottenberg while conducting field research in northern Sierra Leone within Bafodea Town, the capital of Wara Wara Bafodea Chiefdom, while on an Art Historical and Anthropological Field Research from October of 1978 through July of 1980.
Original title reads, "At Bafodea Town. Son of the blacksmith Kaparana dancing. He is to be initiated. He was considered the best dancer. With Fula musicians. He will be initiated in Bafodea Town with Limba boys. Each initiating boy has his own musical group as a rule, and adults view to hire the best musicians, often from outside the chiefdom." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
1058/1978-1980
General:
Title source: Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Other Archival Materials:
Simon Ottenberg Papers are located at the National Anthropological Archives, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
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