Skull trophies on shelves in the Morung (Image number C.019, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection)

Material Information

Title:
Skull trophies on shelves in the Morung (Image number C.019, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection)
Series Title:
J.P. Mills Photographic Collection
Creator:
Mills, J. P. (James Philip), 1890-1960.
Hobson, Geraldine ( contributor )
Publication Date:
Materials:
B&W photographic print 12x7 cm ( medium )

Notes

Abstract:
The head-hunting trophies are kept here. When a head is taken, it is first placed at the foot of this erect stone, then put into a basket and left to rot in the jungle. When more or less clean, it is hoisted up on this pole and left there until the next annual ceremony which is celebrated when the young crops have grown high and are due for their first weeding. After this, the head is taken down and transferred to the Ang's collection, or placed in the Morung, when its fertility or "soul- force" will be transferred to the village. ( en )
General Note:
Date of photograph: 1923 October 22
General Note:
Copyright held by the Estate of J.P. Mills. The Estate is currently (2015) represented by Geraldine Hobson.
General Note:
This item may be used under license: Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial (CC BY-NC)
General Note:
The image is part of Album C. The first part of this Album contains photographs taken when Mills was touring with J.H. Hutton in the Konyak country in October 1923. Album B. also contains some photographs taken on this tour. At the time Mills was Assistant Commissioner, based at Mokokchung, and Hutton was Deputy Commissioner at Kohima. The latter part of the Album consists of photographs from other areas. These cannot be dated, but were probably taken at about the same period.
General Note:
Originally collected in Album C of the "J.P. Mills Photographic Collection". (Held in the SOAS, University of London, Archives and Special Collections.)
General Note:
Fürer-Haimendorf, Christoph von, 1909- . The Naked Nagas. London : Methuen & Co., Ltd. [1939]. (LCCN: 40014642)
General Note:
Hutton, John Henry. Tour Diary [manuscript]. 1923 April. (Held by the Pitt Rivers Museum archives, University of Oxford)
General Note:
Jacobs, Julian. The Nagas : hill peoples of Northeast India : society, culture, and the colonial encounter. London : Thames and Hudson, 1990.
General Note:
Chui is alternately spelled Chi
General Note:
VIAF ID: 2475026 (name authority) : Mills, J.P. (James Philip), 1890-1960
General Note:
VIAF ID: 24095368 (name authority) : Hobson, Geraldine
General Note:
Ethnologue reference: http://www.ethnologue.com/language/nbe

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS, University of London
Holding Location:
Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
Image: © 1923, The Estate of J.P. Mills. Text: © 1996, Geraldine Hobson.
Resource Identifier:
PP MS 58/02/C/19 ( calm reference )