| Title |
Photographs of the Koramas, Northern Nigeria |
| Reference |
GBR/0115/Y3043L |
| Creator |
Firmin, Cecil H, fl 1900-1912 |
| Covering Dates |
circa 1900 |
| Extent and Medium |
14 images in 1 file; Good condition. |
| Repository |
Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library |
|
| Content and context |
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The prints were originally contained in an envelope addressed to 'Cecil H. Firmin, Ladbroke, Kew, SW.' and it is assumed that he presented them to the Royal African Society, of which he was a member from 1907. Firmin was also a member of the Royal Colonial Institute (from 1903) his address being given in the 1912 list of Non-Resident Fellows as 'Government Railway, Bo, Sierra Leone'. He does not however appear in the civil establishment lists in either the Sierra Leone or Northern Nigeria Blue Books for the relevant period. It is probable that he was the photographer.
A collection of photographs measuring approximately 160 x 115 mm. The collection consists of clearly photographed views of Korama people and activities, with a few prints of Hausa and other ethnic groups.
The original typescript catalogue contains the following information: 'The Korama (or Kurama), who call themselves Akurmi or Forest People, inhabit the area north of the Katab tribe in Zaria Province north of Kagoro and west of Jos. Tribal mythology asserts a connection with Kano and in the early years of the century the more learned claimed to be able to trace the wanderings of the tribe back to the time they lived at Medina'.
Presented by the Royal African Society.
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Access and Use
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Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Photographs of the Koramas, Northern Nigeria, Y3043L |
| Further information |
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Meek's detailed study of the Korama can be found in: Meek, C.K. (1931), Tribal Studies in Northern Nigeria, vol. 2, London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, p.164-184.
C.H. Firmin may be the European seen in Y3043L/10.
Indexed
This collection level description was entered by KS using information from the original typescript catalogue.
Several of the prints appear to have been marked up on the reverse for reproduction but no printed copies have been found. This collection is available on microfiche: Africa, fiche numbers 42-43.
|
| Index Terms |
| Africa |
| Nigeria |
| Firmin, Cecil H (fl 1900-1912) |
| RCS/Y3043L contains: |
|
1
|
A Korama Village. 160 x 114 mm. A view looking down on a small Korama village, with ploughed earth in the foreground. The print shows clearly the layout of the village as described by Meek (Meek 1931, p.177). The huts are circular, of mud, and with thatched roofs, and are grouped around a central compound. At the side of the village nearest the camera is a large family granary, a mud building about ten feet high raised on bricks to keep out damp.
Good condition, apart from slight fading.. |
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2
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A Korama water carrier. 112 x 158 mm. Showing a Korama woman with a circular waterpot resting on a woven cushion on her head.
Good condition.. |
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3
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Korama water carriers. 113 x 157 mm. Showing a large group of female water carriers bearing pots of a variety of shapes on their heads, with one of their number standing in the foreground of the photograph.
Good condition.. |
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4
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Koramas using the golma (hoe) (first position). 159 x 110 mm. Showing a line of Korama men posed with their hoes raised. The instrument consists of a curved wooden handle to which a roughly triangular blade is attached. As can be seen here, the gulma lifts out large sections of sod with each stroke.
Good condition.. |
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5
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Koramas using the golma (hoe) (second position). 160 x 111 mm. Showing the row of men seen in the preceding print lifting sods of earth with their hoes. The instrument is turned over to one side rather than pulled directly upwards. |
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6
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A Korama Hunter. 112 x 155 mm. Showing a hunter posed beside a village hut, holding his bow and with a leather basket slung over one shoulder. In the background a small circular thatched granary can be seen.
Good condition, apart from slight fading.. |
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7
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A Korama hunter using bow with poisoned arrows. 115 x 159 mm. Showing a Korama hunter posed in the act of drawing his bow.
Fair condition, slight overall fading.. |
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8
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A Korama hunter showing position of hands and method of using ring. 113 x 159 mm. A close-up view of a hunter using his bow and showing clearly the position of the hands and the leather (?and iron) ring attachment tied to the bowstring in order to facilitate drawing.
Good condition.. |
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9
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A Korama pagan. 114 x 159 mm. A full-length profile portrait of a Korama youth standing in a field. The boy is wearing a ragged cloth tunic and has his hair shaved close at the front and arranged in long strands behind.
Good condition.. |
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10
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Crossing a swamp. 159 x 111 mm. Showing a pith helmeted and pipe smoking European being carried across a swamp on the shoulders of African bearers.
Good condition.. |
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11
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Carriers crossing a swamp. 161 x 115 mm. Showing a line of bearers with wooden boxes and other baggage on their heads crossing the stretch of swamp seen in Y3043L/10.
Good condition.. |
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12
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Hausa woman. 114 x 160 mm. A head and shoulders profile portrait of a Hausa woman showing clearly her elaborate hairstyle. On the top of the head the hair is formed into a smooth peaked cap while at the side it is tightly bound into backward curving horns held close to the head.
Good condition.. |
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13
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Native vanity... 114 x 157 mm. A full length portrait of a seated Hausa woman, with a woven mat hanging behind her. The bindings on her arms and legs are explained in the continuation of the caption: '...dying fingernails red, and feet black. Hands are kept for a considerable time in a casing made from a calabash. The feet are wrapped up in dye and bandaged for several days.'.
Good condition.. |
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14
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The Lurike of Kudaru. 159 x 113 mm. Showing the Lurike of Kudaru, dressed in Arab fashion and seated on a horse, with an attendant holding the animal's bridge. According to Arnett, E.J. (1920) the Chief of Kudaru was Tura-ki Kerami. Whether this is the same figure has not been determined.
Good condition.. |
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