[Bow making, Andaman Islands.] Carrying home the log. Observe the way the adze is carried, pushed through the waistband of the workman. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
This photograph shows the 'Chokio' [North Andaman bows] when strung. The peculiar S curve similar to that of the South Andaman bow should be noticed. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Caption continues: 'Also, the upper end of the bow can always be detected, because that end is always of a longer and more tapering form than the lower end.'
Andamanese cutting 'Ridi', a kind of crooked bamboo, thin and with short joints, which is generally used for arrow shafts. It has to have the buds, etc, cut off with the Cyrena shell and is then smoothed and straightened over the fire, and with the teeth Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Making arrows, South Andamans.] When the bark is off, the arrow shaft is roughly straightened between the teeth, thus. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Making arrows, South Andamans.] The shafts are then heated over a small fire, and straightened by hand. The straightness is judged by the eye, as in the picture, and when satisfactory the shafts are stood up round the fire as shown, to dry slowly. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Rope making in the Andaman Islands.] Andamanese cutting a branch of 'Alaba-da' (Melochia velutina). A branch of the tree is cut off, as shown in the picture, and taken away. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Andamanese Islander chopping down a branch with an adze.