Period Photos of People with Ethnographic Arms

[estcrh]

One of my favorite images titled "1873: The attendants of the Sumptha Raja, Agra Durbar". A rare photo of Indian armor, weapons and the men who used them. Char-aina (chest armor) with what looks like some sort of shoulder coverings, possibly armored, which I have not seen any were else, kulah khud (helmet), bazu band (arm guards) and various swords, altogether a bunch of guys you would not want to mess with.

A durbar was a great ceremonial gathering during the period of the British Raj. Here is a quote about the Agra Durbar from a book written in 1901, "The Agra Durbar was perhaps the most splendid and extraordinary to European eyes of the whole series, for there were seen the most powerful princes of native India in all their semi-barbaric magnificence."

[Iain]

Where: Ngaoundéré, Adamawa region, North Cameroon
When: unknown, early 20th century?
Who: Fulani cavalry and foot soldiers
Weapons visible: Spears, shields, takouba, I think some muskets as well
Source if known: French postcard

This is a particularly interesting photo to me as seeing images with shields is fairly rare. I think I spot a Sudanese style round shield down at the far end of the foot soldier line.

[Iain]

Where: Dar Sila wandering sultanate (Chad)
When: unknown, early 20th century?
Who: Dar Sila Daju
Weapons visible: Kaskara
Source if known: "Dadjo Warrior Dahab, son of sultan Bakhit (Dar Sila)". From L'Afrique Équatoriale Française: le pays, les habitants, la colonisation, les pouvoirs publics. Préf. de M. Merlin.(published 1918)

Very interesting photo from a little known group. Article on wikipedia.


There is a kaskara visible but also some sort of Arab looking saif with a very odd pommel that almost looks Tebu style.

[Iain]

Where: South Sulawesi, Indonesia
When: 1920s
Who: Toraja
Weapons visible: Spear, shield
Source if known: Old dutch photo?

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Iain

Source if known: Old dutch photo?

Probably, as it's Dutch text.

[Sajen]

Yes, text mean Toraja as headhunter.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, text mean Toraja as headhunter.

Yep that's a correct translation!

PS I like the shield. Very rare.
Here two pieces which are in the collection of the volkenkundig museum Leiden.