'Male Somali'. Photographer: Unknown [‎50a] (1/1)

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

This full-length standing studio portrait of a Somali man is intended to demonstrate an ethnic or class ‘type’. In particular, this image is intended to illustrate the habits of dress as described previously by Frederick Mercer Hunter (p. 45). Hunter describes these as follows:

‘The men wear a single white garment (tobe) of cotton , about thirty inches wide and three to four yards long, which is simply folded round the body, an end being brought occasionally over the head or the shoulder. This cloth is not secured in any way, being retained in its place by the wearer’s hands, and accordingly presents the appearance of always being about to fall off, as it occasionally does, shocking the modesty of beholders […] The head is kept bare, except among the more wealthy, and when not shaved or covered with curly locks, or resembling a mop, is plastered tightly all over with a mixture of white earth or lime […] Many Somalis dress like Arabs, Indians, and even Europeans.’

The man stands in a contrapposto pose: in his right hand he is holding a long walking stick, which is partially concealed by his draping robe. Although the man is clearly photographed in a studio setting with a backdrop, at least four rocks and stones have been placed about his feet – perhaps to lend an air of authenticity to his ethnic dress.

Inscriptions:

In pencil, upper left corner adjacent to print: ‘8’

Extent and format

1 albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

92 x 60 mm [portrait]

Format:

1 albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print pasted to backing paper and mounted between pp. 50-51

Materials:

Silver printing-out paper, albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

Condition:

The print is unevenly hand-cut but in good condition, with some surface loss 3cm from right and 4cm from lower edge.

Foliation:

‘8’

Process:

Albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

Written in

English in Latin script

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