Portrait of a Lhota warrior in full dress (Image number G.012, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection)
A Lotha (Lhota) warrior in full dress. He wears a "sweat-wig" of bear's fur and two hornbill feathers, showing he has participated in two head-taking ceremonies. Hanging down his back is the skull of the Great Indian Hornbill, symbolic of wealth, showing that he has undertaken a stone...
| Full title: |
Portrait of a Lhota warrior in full dress (Image number G.012, J.P. Mills Photographic Collection) [electronic resource]. |
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| Format: | Photo |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1919.
|
| Series: |
SOAS Digital Library.
ASC. REGIONS. RSA. JPMILLS. ILOAA. |
| Subjects: | |
| Online access: |
Click here to view record |
| Summary: |
A Lotha (Lhota) warrior in full dress. He wears a "sweat-wig" of bear's fur and two hornbill feathers, showing he has participated in two head-taking ceremonies. Hanging down his back is the skull of the Great Indian Hornbill, symbolic of wealth, showing that he has undertaken a stone dragging ceremony. Worn on the hip, supported by two hair fringed baldricks across the chest, is the panji basket and great curved "tail", which has a long fringe of human hair. Panjis are sharpened bamboo spikes stuck in the ground to deter pursuit. Slung across his chest is the "enemy's teeth", a flat piece of wood covered with plaited red cane, cowrie shells representing teeth and a fringe of red hair symbolising blood pouring out of the victim's mouth. His broad apron is covered with rows of cowrie shells, as are his hair fringed wristlets. He carries a dao, and a spear ornamented with goat's hair. |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1919.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Series: |
SOAS Digital Library.
ASC. REGIONS. RSA. JPMILLS. ILOAA. |
| Access: |
Image: © 1919, The Estate of J.P. Mills. Text: © 1996, Geraldine Hobson. |
| Place of Publication: |
India -- Nagaland -- Wokha District -- Yanthamo. |