The collection consists of approximately 1,950 glass plate and large format film negatives,100 hand-tinted and black-and-white prints and four photographic albums containing prints of various sizes, taken by Chief Solomon Osagie Alonge, the royal photographer to the Oba of Benin, Akenzua II (1933-1978). These images span six decades (1926 - 1989) and represent a dynamic, continuous record of the Benin Royal Court in Nigeria. Alonge documented the pageantry, ritual and regalia of the Obas, their wives and retainers for over a half-century, including the coronation of the King and the Iyoba, or queen mother. The collection also documents historic visits to Benin by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (1956), Princess Alexandra (1960), foreign dignitaries, traditional rulers, political leaders and celebrities. The collection preserves an important historical record of Benin art and culture during the periods of British colonial rule and Nigerian independence in the 20th century. The rarity and historical value of the collection are enhanced by Alonge's privileged access to the Palace as a chief in the Iwebo Palace Society, a position which presents a unique insider's view of Benin royalty. The quality of the collection is testament to Alonge's technological skills in photography and his professionalism in keeping the collection ordered and well-preserved despite the heat, humidity and tropical climate of Nigeria.
Arrangement note:
Arrangement of negatives reflects the original order established by the photographer.
Biographical/Historical note:
Chief Solomon Osagie Alonge (1911-1994) was the first indigenous photographer of the Royal Court of Benin and one of the premier photographers of Nigeria. His significance as one of the earliest indigenous photographers in West Africa has been documented in detail by anthropologist Flora Kaplan. Alonge learned the craft of photography as a youth in Lagos during the 1920s and saw his profession as an honorable and distinguished calling. He clearly demonstrated an inclusive documentary perspective in his efforts to photograph many aspects of the world around him. In 1942, Alonge established the Ideal Photography Studio in Benin City and documented colonial society, the establishment of churches and businesses, and the formation of new civic organizations and social groups like the Benin Social Club (1940s). As a commercial photographer, Alonge photographed individual and group portraits, preserving a visual record of the everyday lives and peoples of Benin City. Alonge's studio portraits illustrate how local Africans presented themselves to the camera and engaged with the practice of photography during the early to mid-twentieth century.
General note:
Title provided by EEPA staff.
Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
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 depicting people and activities in Hawaii. They include images of the preparation of poi, the disbanding of the royal household guard, the Royal Hawaiian band at the Iolani Palace, a feast beside a grass house, and a portrait of five Hawaiian women. J. J. Williams and J. A. Gonsalves are identified as the photographers for some images.
Local Call Number(s):
NAA Photo Lot 76-24
General note:
Information provided by staff at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Location of Other Archival Materials:
Additional photographs by J. A. Gonsalves may be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 76-26.
Additional photographs by J. J. Williams can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 97.
This collection contains 664 digital images (JPEG files) depicting the built environment, landscape and people of Morocco, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria and South Africa. A large number of images depict people in and around the Gidan Rumfa palace in Kano, Nigeria, including spectators of and participants in a ceremonial procession celebrating Eid ul-Fitr (the end of Ramadan); servants, concubines, praise singers and musicians in and near the palace harem; members of the royal household and the royal guards; and Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano. Other images depict architectural features of the palace. Images from Morocco, Ghana, Niger and South Africa include various scenes of daily life, architecture, markets, cemeteries and landscapes.
Biographical/Historical note:
Beverly Mack is a Professor of African Studies in the Department of African and African American Studies and a Courtesy Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas. Professor Mack holds Ph.D. and Master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her Ph.D. and M.A. are in African literature, with doctoral minors in African history and comparative literature. She has conducted extended field research in Kano, Nigeria, and Fes, Morocco, with shorter research periods in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Conakry, and published extensively on African literature and Muslim women's lives in West Africa.
General note:
Title provided by EEPA staff.
Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Topic:
Decoration and ornament, Architectural Search this
Folder 34 Hirohito, Emperor, 1967-1986. Includes correspondence with the royal household and staff of the Emperor of Japan regarding a meeting between Myra Keen and himself. Also includes news clippings, memorabilia, and photographs of Keen upon return...
Collection Creator::
Keen, A. Myra (Angeline Myra), 1905-1986 Search this
Container:
Box 2 of 14
Type:
Archival materials
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7333, A. Myra Keen Papers
