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Lister Haig Hunter
Scarify Body for Health (Pondo Girls)
Caza
Umzimba - Body Scarification
Photo Set B
Lister Hunter - Umtata Agencies - Tourists
Paradise
Lister Haig Hunter was born in South Africa in 1919. After
WW 2 and up until his death in 1981, he traded in Umtata, the capital of the
former Transkei. He dealt in traditional herbal medicines known locally as Muthi or Muti, as
well as curios and ethnic artifacts, the latter sold to foreign visitors. His
close association with his native clientele helped develop his keen interest in tribal
customs, which led him to the pursuit of photography. The two passions came together at "Umtata Agencies - Tourists Paradise - Indlu Ya Mayeza". There he sold postcards to tourists which he produced in Durban
from his photographic collections. He also sold slides that detailed the customs of
his photographic studies. To
learn more about Lister Hunters life, business or postcards
click here.
Each Slide Set A-G, has
a dedicated page.
Click a thumb to enter the section or category.
Lister Hunter compiled his slide collections into seven
sets totaling 163 ethnic
studies of isiXhosa speakers. The
majority of the slides were taken between Umtata and Elliotdale in
the Eastern Cape. The seven sets were labeled A to G. Gallery Ezakwantu
digitalized the slide collection. It is the Hunter family wish to share the fantastic imagery and information
assembled. The photographs and accompanied data are Copyright Protected
- © - by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
This is Set "B"
Female Scarification - The Pondo
The following imagery and text was authored by
Lister Haig Hunter
SCARIFICATION OF BODY FOR HEALTH (PONDO GIRLS)
CAZA UMZIMBA
COMPRISING 16 SLIDES Nos. 51 - 66
This operation is for health purposes, say the young Pondo
girls of the Transkei. Delving into the mystery of the operation, it was
maintained, without fail by every young girl operated upon, to completely rid
the body of the bad blood which causes exceptional body pains, such as pain in
the shoulders, backache, joints etc. Upon feeling such pain, the young girl
informs her mother, requesting that the operation, as witnessed below, be
carried out.
51.
The young Pondo maiden begins to undress, removing
shoulder blanket.
52.
Skirt being removed.
53.
Close-up as skirt is removed.
54.
Completely undressed except for her “Mutchi”.
55.
Mother washes daughter’s face, breasts and arms.
56.
Operation begins, mother using razor blade, slits the skin
at intervals, on the forehead and face.
57.
Then the breasts.
58.
Finally the arms.
59.
Cutting completed, girl sits as blood oozes out and
congeals. As it does so, she maintains that the pain in the body slowly
disappears.
60.
Mother washes the
dried blood away.
61.
Mother applies thick sour milk to the wounds, maintaining
that it keeps out infection.
62.
Mixing the red clay called “MBOLA” with water produces a
red paste.
63.
Paste is applied to whole face and body, sealing the cuts
from the air and ensuring complete healing.
64.
Application of paste competed.
65.
Close-up showing
paste dry. Note the cuts.
66.
Two weeks later, body is completely smeared with ox fat
completing this strange, but true custom, with only light scars remaining.
PER SET - R4.80
(Circa 1960 Price)
End of Set B - Scarification
Each set A-G, has
a dedicated page.
Click a thumb to enter the section or category.
More here including Scarification - Piercing -
Stretching - Filing - Deforming - Mutilation
Ethnographic Photographs -
Ethnic Photographs - Ethnographic Photography
Ethnographische Fotografien -
Völkerkundliche Aufnahmen - Ethnographische Fotographien
We hope you
have enjoyed this page dedicated to the life long work of African enthusiast
Lister Hunter.
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