Carved post at Sangnu (Sangnyu) (Image number E.027, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection)

Hutton describes the Ang's house as having 27 enormous posts supporting the roof. This may be one of them. "lt (also) contains a piece of magnificent wood about 20ft long by 12ft high (6.09m x 3.65m high) at least (with) all sorts of carving in relief, some in high relief, other parts st...

Full description

Full title: Carved post at Sangnu (Sangnyu) (Image number E.027, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection) [electronic resource].
Format: Photo           
Language: English
Published: 1923.
Series: SOAS Digital Library.
ASC.
REGIONS.
RSA.
JPMILLS.
ILOAA.
Subjects:
Online access: Click here to view record


Summary: Hutton describes the Ang's house as having 27 enormous posts supporting the roof. This may be one of them. "lt (also) contains a piece of magnificent wood about 20ft long by 12ft high (6.09m x 3.65m high) at least (with) all sorts of carving in relief, some in high relief, other parts standing on projecting ledges and cut entirely away from the background but all done in the same piece of wood. There were two big tigers ... a couple of warriors and a mother suckling her child ... a man and woman performing the sexual act, a cock crowing excellently carved, a big snake ... human heads ... and a jappa (basket) standing absolutely clear of the main block (used) as a receptacle ... AII this carving was attributed to a more or less mythical ancestor and must be excessively old". The Nagaland Tourism booklet describes "a wonderful wooden monument measuring 8 feet (2.84m) in height and 12 feet (3.65m) in breadth - believed to be constructed by heavenly angels". This is almost certainly a fragment of the same carving described by Hutton. The connection between head-hunting and fertility is plain.
Language: English
Published: 1923.
Subjects:
Series: SOAS Digital Library.
ASC.
REGIONS.
RSA.
JPMILLS.
ILOAA.
Access: Image: © 1923, The Estate of J.P. Mills. Text: © 1996, Geraldine Hobson.
Place of Publication: India -- Nagaland -- Mon District -- Shangnyu.