Portrait of a Lakhuti dancer

B&W photographic print. 'This older man wears several hornbill feathers in his 'sweat wig', indicating the number of times he has done the head-taking ceremony. The long hair fringes of his wristlets show that he is a noted warrior. He wears plaited red cane leggings with a diamond-shaped patte...

Full description


Date(s) of creation: December 1919
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
URL: http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004503
URL Description: Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections

Summary: B&W photographic print. 'This older man wears several hornbill feathers in his 'sweat wig', indicating the number of times he has done the head-taking ceremony. The long hair fringes of his wristlets show that he is a noted warrior. He wears plaited red cane leggings with a diamond-shaped pattern of yellow orchid stem. His spear, held blade downwards, is covered with long goat's hair, suggesting that he is a religious official.'
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
Extent: 1 photograph
Note: Wigs
Feathers
Naga (South Asian people)
Ethnic group: Naga
Ethnic group: Lotha Naga
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