Portrait of a Lhota warrior in full dress
B&W photographic print. '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 unde...
| Date(s) of creation: |
June 1919 |
|---|---|
| Level: |
Item |
| Format: | Archive |
| Main author: | Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist |
| URL: |
http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004485 |
| URL Description: |
Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections |
| Summary: |
B&W photographic print. '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.' |
|---|---|
| Main author: | Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist |
| Extent: |
1 photograph |
| Note: |
Warriors Wigs Machetes Head-hunting Headhunters Naga (South Asian people) Ethnic group: Naga Ethnic group: Lotha Naga Yanthamo is alternatively known as Yamhung Ghat and Yanasao |
| Access status: |
Open |
| Copyright: | Copyright held by J.P. Mills |
| Language: | No linguistic content |
| Scripts: |
Unwritten |
| Physical description: |
9.5 x 7 cm |
| Format: | Archive |