Mophungzuket "leper" (Image number H.014, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection)
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Material Information

Title:
Mophungzuket "leper" (Image number H.014, 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 9.5x7 cm ( medium )

Notes

Abstract:
This image of a grave hung with the deceased person's possessions could be interpreted in various ways. "Leper'' in inverted commas on the back of the photograph may indeed mean that the person who died was a leper, in which case the death is considered in some villages as accursed, bringing disgrace and ruin upon his family. They would have to kill all their livestock and abandon their house and all their possessions, being reduced to destitution and reliant on the charity of their neighbours. But, in that case the grave would have no roof or Ornaments for the next world. This grave, however, has a rough Christian cross in front of it, although this is painted with various non-Christian symbols such as snakes and stylised hornbills. Though Christians bury their dead rather than expose them on corpse platforms, they often roof over the grave and display the possessions just as the non-Christians do. Perhaps the deceased was converted to Christianity before dying of leprosy, thus avoiding the calamity for his family of an "accursed" death. ( en )
General Note:
Date of photograph: 1920
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:
This photograph is part of album H. Most of the photographs in this album were taken in 1920, though the earliest is dated 1918 and there are a few from 1923. Nos. H.7-18 may not have been taken by Mills, as it is not his writing on the back.
General Note:
Originally collected in Album H of the "J.P. Mills Photographic Collection". (Held in the SOAS, University of London, Archives and Special Collections.)
General Note:
Mills, J. P. (James Philip), 1890-1960. The Ao Nagas. London : Macmillan & Co., 1926. (LCCN: 27013331)
General Note:
VIAF ID: 2475026 (name authority) : Mills, J.P. (James Philip), 1890-1960
General Note:
VIAF ID: 24095368 (name authority) : Hobson, Geraldine

Record Information

Source Institution:
SOAS, University of London
Holding Location:
Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
Image: © 1920, The Estate of J.P. Mills. Text: © 1996, Geraldine Hobson.
Resource Identifier:
PP MS 58/02/H/14 ( calm reference )