[Shooting with the South Andaman bow. Karam-da.] Different ways in which the hands are held in the delivery of the arrow. One method. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[Unstringing the South Andaman bow. Karam-da.] To unstring the bow it is again placed in the same position as for stringing, the end being pulled down by the left hand and the string lifted off with the right. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Caption continues: 'The string is not removed from the upper end, and at the lower end is secured to the bow by a wrapping of cane or other bark, which is used by the Andamanese where we should use cord.'
[The South Andaman bow.] The bow string is made from 'Yolba' (Anadendron paniculatum) fibre, a low bush with long scandent shoots. The view shows an Andamanese cutting off with a Cyrena shell, the long shoots from which the fibre is to be scraped. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
[The South Andaman bow: making the bow string.] The bundle of shoots is brought home and laid by the man's side; ... in this position he scrapes off the bark and teases out the fibre with a Cyrena shell. The pieces of fibre are laid across his left shin. Photographer: Portman, Maurice Vidal
Scope & Content:
Genre: Ethnographical Photography Seated Andaman Islander at work.