Friday's Fascinating Photographs from Fieldwork

Dept. of fieldwork, Okyeampoma, May 16, 2003 at 12:48:43 PM CEST

Ritual specialists and palace officials observe the preparation of a cleansing ritual. Water from the 'sacred river Birim' is mixed with leaves, then consecrated and finally sprinkled around the king Okyenhene's palace (in the back, Kyebi/Ghana)

"Cherchez le Chercheur" No. II Resuming the "Cherchez le Chercheur" series set off last week, this picture provides the researcher's view of the presented ceremonial scene. It is, of course, taken from a completely different angle and focuses solely on the protagonists' activities. Also, note that it carries features of an actual group portrait - however stemming from a different, yet intentional arrangement: the 'traditionalists' (priests, chiefs, palace functionaries) are not supposed to stand behind the person preparing the ritual but rather must back the one (in red cloth) who will pour libation on it afterwards. A 'natural' setting offering an opportune access for another protagonist - the photographer.

Look up next week's picture! The same 'traditionalists' - and with them the researcher - will pose for a real group shot in the thick forest of southern Ghana.

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kerleone, May 16, 2003 at 1:05:53 PM CEST

Very nice one. Interesting, how the mood of the photograph differs from that last week.

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kerleone, May 16, 2003 at 6:59:08 PM CEST

Hey, Okyeampoma, the autor from another interesting weblog related to africa made comments on your picture. Sadly, I do not untderstand french, but you surely can ...

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Okyeampoma, May 16, 2003 at 8:24:01 PM CEST

Apart from translating last weeks introductory remarks to the ‘Cherchez le Chercher’ series, afrique-web adds
“It’s quite humorous, just perfect for a Friday.If Nigel Barley were to publish these kinds of pictures, I think they would be as successful as his books”.
He is right. There’s a great general interest in more lively accounts of the fieldworker’s work. And I have always been wondering why most anthropologists’ own pictures ‘from the field’ are of astonishing poor quality. It’s one of the mysticisms of fieldwork…

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kerleone, May 16, 2003 at 8:59:48 PM CEST

Poor Quality? Hmmm, maybe you should spend some liquor to the gods next time?

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tomitom, May 19, 2003 at 8:06:53 AM CEST

Thanks for this series, I think it's a great idea ;) .
Fieldwork often brings more information on the fieldworker than on the field itself. That's what catches people's attention :-)

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