Photographs documenting Liberian people and the Liberian natural and built environments, including the Saint Paul River, rock formations, barricades, dwellings, and other structures.
Biographical/Historical note:
Guy N. Collins (1872-1938) was a botanist, geneticist, and plant explorer. While on hiatus from his undergraduate studies at Syracuse, Collins developed an interest in photography during an expedition in Liberia with Orator Fuller Cook. After the Spanish-American War, he worked for the office of Botanical Investigations and Experiments in the US Department of Agriculture. Collins joined Cook's exploration of Puerto Rican plant life, the results of which were published by the Smithsonian Institution in "Economic Plants of Porto Rico." Collins later became Principal Botanist in the USDA's Division of Cereal Crops and Diseases of the Bureau of Plant Industry and was a founder of the Washington Biologists' Field Club.
Local Call Number(s):
NAA Photo Lot 90-27, USNM ACC 374065
Location of Other Archival Materials:
Liberian objects collected by Collins and donated with the photographs can be found in the Department of Anthropology in accession 374065.
Collins's field book from 1915 can be found in the Smithsonian Institution Archives in SIA Acc. 12-011.
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. Mende hat of native thread, from Jojoima, Malema Chiefdom, made by Pa Alpha Kombe. A present from Dr. Loretta Reinhardt, who has been research eastern Mende." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
1371/1978-1980
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.
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.
Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.
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. Kono cloth from the Mende peoples area of Sierra Leone, with two shades of blue. Purchased by someone from Bafodea Town in Kabala, which is not in the Mende area." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
1948/1978-1980
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.
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.
Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.
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. Kono cloth from the Mende peoples area of Sierra Leone, with two shades of blue. Purchased by someone from Bafodea Town in Kabala, which is not in the Mende area." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
1949/1978-1980
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.
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.
Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.
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. Central portion of a hammock sold to me as being Limba, from Kamakwie Limba Chiefdom. In fact, it is probaby of Mende origin." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
2420a/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.
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.
Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.
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. It looks like a hammock in the Mende style that I once purchased, but I am not certain." [Ottenberg field research notes, Limba Slides and Photographs, October 1978-July 1980].
Local Numbers:
2520a/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.
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.
Photographs by Pa Huff, Hamaidu Mansaray, and Labelle Prussin are restricted. In these cases, the photographer's permission is required for access and publication of images.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 23.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "The most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1.1 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 21.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1.1 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1.2 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 19.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1.2 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1.3 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 26.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1.3 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1.4 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 27.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1.4 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masquerader from the Liberian National Dance Troupe of William Lewis. Mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. 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:
E 2 MDE 1.5 EE 59
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
57938 1 66
Frame value is 25.
Slide No. E 2 MDE 1.5 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.
The photograph depicts Mende masqueraders from the Liberian National Dance Troupe of William Lewis. Mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. This photograph was taken by Eliot Elisofon in November 1971.
Local Numbers:
E 2 SIL 1 EE 71
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
86743 1-2
Frame value is 19.
Slide No. E 2 SIL 1 EE 71
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.
The photograph depicts Mende masqueraders from the Dance troupe of William Lewis. Mr. Lewis was at the time director of Folklore and Culture Affairs in the Liberian government. "the most satirical of all the masks in this tradition is the Gongoli, which is widely distributed among the Mende, Gola, Vai, Temne, and Sherbro. One of the Gongoli's principal functions is to serve as a vehicle for the ritualized reduction of social tensions through social commentary and criticism. The Gongoli is also known as Kokpo among the Gola and Vai." [Siegmann W. and Perani J., 1976: Men's Masquerades of Sierra Leone and Liberia. African Arts. Regents of the University of California. Published by UCLA James S. Coleman African Studies Center]. This photograph was taken by Eliot Elisofon in November 1971.
Local Numbers:
E 2 SIL 2 EE 71
General:
Title is provided by EEPA staff based on photographer's notes.
Local Note:
86743 1-2
Frame value is 5.
Slide No. E 2 SIL 2 EE 71
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.
