A set of old stone axe-heads and other stones, laid out on the ground by Surur the rain-maker for Evans-Pritchard to photograph them (although not touch them) from their home in a pot beneath the eaves of his hut, which also contained some of his hair clippings. These stones were called landa loma - stones of Loma, a spiritual connection with rain-making. During rain-making Surur would place these stones along with magical medicines in a pot with rock-pool water and sprinkle to the east where the next day was to arrive from.

Collection type: Photograph
Description: A set of old stone axe-heads and other stones, laid out on the ground by Surur the rain-maker for Evans-Pritchard to photograph them (although not touch them) from their home in a pot beneath the eaves of his hut, which also contained some of his hair clippings. These stones were called landa loma - stones of Loma, a spiritual connection with rain-making. During rain-making Surur would place these stones along with magical medicines in a pot with rock-pool water and sprinkle to the east where the next day was to arrive from.
Geographical reference: South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan; Warab; Tonj
Cultural groups: Bongo
Person: Photographer Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard; Named Person Surur; PRM source Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Date / Period: Date of photograph: 03/1929
Acquisition information: Donated: 1966
Photographic process: Print gelatin silver
Dimensions: Length x Width 103 x 75 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1998.343.43.2 Previous PRM number: EP.B.48 Previous other number: 63 4
Associated publications: Contemporary Publication - Reproduced as Plate Ia (facing page 24) in E. E. Evans-Pritchard's 'The Bongo' (Sudan Notes and Records Vol.XII Part I 1929) with the caption 'Bongo Rain-stones'. [Chris Morton 20/1/2004]