Lhota warrior in full dress, viewed from the back

B&W photographic print. 'In his "sweat wig" circlet of bear's fur he has four hornbill feathers, one for each occasion he has done the head-taking genna or ceremony. In his ears he has huge pads of cotton wool, and boar's tusks around his neck. Between his shoulders is the ruho, or "enemy's teet...

Full description


Date(s) of creation: 1925
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
URL: http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004924
URL Description: Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections

Summary: B&W photographic print. 'In his "sweat wig" circlet of bear's fur he has four hornbill feathers, one for each occasion he has done the head-taking genna or ceremony. In his ears he has huge pads of cotton wool, and boar's tusks around his neck. Between his shoulders is the ruho, or "enemy's teeth". It consists of a flat piece of wood covered with woven red cane which is bordered with cowries - the "teeth". This is fringed with dyed red goat's hair - the blood pouring out of the enemy's mouth. Below this hangs the "tail", developed from the basket used to carry panjis - sharpened bamboo spikes. This "tail" is of the type, in which the long fringe of women's hair hangs directly from the small cane basket. The man wears wristlets sewn with cowries and fringed with goat's hair, and carries a dao and spear.'
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
Extent: 1 photograph
Note: Machetes
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
Copies: Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections
Format: Archive