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
"In their communication with mankind, the 'abosom' or tutelary spirits, require a medium. This function is carried out by priests or priestess known as 'akomfo' (sing. okomfo). These have the ability to become possessed by their 'obossom' (pl. abossom) and, by so doing, act as the mouthpiece of the god, offering advice or prophesying the future." [Asante Traditional Buildings. World Heritage. A Ghana Museums and Monuments Publication]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.
sova.eepa.1973-001_ref32982
Local Numbers
EENG-V-20, 35A.
General
Title source: Index card based on photographer's notes.
Local Note
Typed index card reads, "T 2 Ash. Ashanti. Ghana, Besease. Decorative panel above the Shrine room entrance. The priestess, Komfoyaa Anosua. 7/1970. EE. neg.no. V-20, 35A." The card was written in 1977-79 by Archives staff using source provided by photographer.
Place
Africa
Ghana
Topic
Animals in art
Animals in art -- Birds
Religious buildings
Shrines
Mural painting and decoration
Portraits
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 05902
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_ref32982
Large EAD
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/xo78016ebd1-b328-4f2e-b0c5-af358c4d9ffc
EEPA.1973-001
EEPA
Record ID
ebl-1536870822481-1536871014427-1