[Hut building in the Great Andaman Islands. Construction of a 'chang-da' or hut of the second class.] The front stakes are then connected by a stout cross-piece securely tied on with cane. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Hut building in the Great Andaman Islands. Construction of a 'chang-da' or hut of the second class.] The leaf as gathered is however of no use, so it is split in two down the middle... Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Caption continues: '...by a shell knife, and three or four of the halves are doubled together and tied at intervals by their fronds.' Similarly posed to print 14.
[Hut making in the Great Andaman Islands. Construction of a temporary hut]. Uprights and cross-pieces are then put up as shown, the front of the hut being five feet high, and the back three feet high. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Showing an Andamanese carrying one of these bundles. To ease the cord, where it crosses the front of the arm, the thumb is inserted. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Andamanese woman sitting in the usual position in a hut. The back generally leans against a log or some such support. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Tattooing. Tattooing, or more properly, scarifying, is done in the South Andaman with thin flakes of quartz, so chipped as to have a sharp edge. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Two seated figures, with woman working on the forearm of a man. The accompanying letterpress gives a more detailed account of the procedure. Subjects = Andamanese (ethnic group); body decoration; ethnic groups; Portman Collection; rites and customs; scarifica...
[Making the pig arrow, Andaman Islands.] The thick band which connects the head of the pig arrow 'Éla' is made as shown. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Making the pig arrow, Andaman Islands.] To ornament arrows and other articles the Andamanese bind a thin twine over with strips of the bark of an orchid, 'Dendrobium secundum' which has been roasted till it turns of a straw colour. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Mébul. Man of the 'Aka Béa-da' Inland tribe, South Andaman. Age about 40 years. He is known as the 'Mébul pála-pich', or 'Hairy (pála-pich) Mébul', owing to his having the uncommon adornment of a slight beard and moustache. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Full-face head and shoulders portrait. Caption continues: 'He is an excellent man in every way. A good hunter, of quiet and tractable dsiposition, and possessed of courage and pluck above the Andamanese average.'