Object Details
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Collection Citation
Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
Scope and Contents
The photograph depicts Asante Paramount Chief Nana Akyanfuo Akowuah Dateh II and sword-bearers. He was both Akwamuhene and Asafohene. Seated on the right, regional chief Kwaku Addai. Seated on the left, the heir to Asafo stool. "In the nineteenth century sword ornaments became more varied and numerous, often representing a proverbial theme. Further proliferation occured in this century, more specifically after 1924, when the Asantehene Prempeh I returned from his long exile. Paramount chiefs maintain a group of sword-bearers, each of whom carries one of the state swords on public occasions. But while swords are thus essential items of regalia, their use is symbolic." [Timothy F. Garrard, 1989: Gold of Africa, Prestel]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.
sova.eepa.1973-001_ref28073
Local Numbers
EENG-V-19, 32A.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "C 2 Ash. Ashanti. Ghana, Kumasi. Paramount Chief Nana Akowuah Dateh II and attendant sword-bearers. He was both Akwamuhene and Asafohene. Seated on the right is regional chief Kwaku Addai. Seated on the left is the heir to Asafo stool. 7/1970. EE. neg.no. V-19, 32A." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Place
Africa
Ghana
Topic
Leaders
Works of art in situ
Clothing and dress -- Africa
Regalia
Photographer
Elisofon, Eliot
Culture
Asante (African people)
See more items in
Eliot Elisofon Field collection
Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Ghana
Extent
1 Negatives (photographic) (b&w, 35mm.)
Date
1970
Archival Repository
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Identifier
EEPA.1973-001, Item EEPA EENG 00980
Type
Archival materials
Negatives (photographic)
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
Collection Rights
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. Where noted, some images remain under the copyright of Life/Shutterstock. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form
Black-and-white negatives
Negatives
Collection Restrictions
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
EEPA.1973-001_ref28073
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo7cb1a7305-da19-4b00-8c25-4677905528ca
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871014399-6