5 Film reels (90 minutes, color sound; Super8, 8mm)
Type:
Archival materials
Film reels
Date:
1977
Scope and Contents:
Full film record shot in Papua New Guinea by anthropologist Thomas Seligman, of the Mount Hagen sing-sing as well as shorter segments of footage in Middle Sepik villages. Depicted at the sing-sing are several villages' chant and dance displays, mostly by men, as well as a smaller number of women's performances and a bamboo and guitar orchestra. The performances encompass a range of ornaments, dress, body paint colors and patterns, masks, and dancing, and several groups often perform at the same time. Villages represented include: Kambaramba, Timbunke, Mindimbit, Aibom, Yentche, Korogo, [Kukaku?], [Angrinan?], and the military band of Goroka. Western anthropologists and tourists are present. Other footage includes the Asaro (3z(Bmudmen(3y (Bof Kenitasara Village, as well as canoe carving and woodworking in Middle Sepik villages (at times accompanied by chanting and dancing). Second film reel records daily life in Middle Sepik villages. Filming locations include Mindimbit Village and a larger town (Mount Hagen?). Depicted are a wide range of everyday tasks including whittling and carving canoes; sculpting clay pots; a village ceremony involving two large crocodile figures manipulated by dancers using poles; and another large ceremony beginning at the foot of a large temple. Both ceremonies involve choreographed dance, ceremonial attire and face paint, and musical accompaniment. Final shots are of a Western family, presumably at a resort.
Local Numbers:
HSFA 2015.9.1
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Collection Rights:
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Collection Citation:
Thomas Seligman films, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution
