Origin of photo

Drabant1701 · 15th November 2018, 07:02 PM

I have this photo in my collection. Looks like India to me. Can anyone pin the location more precisely?

drdavid · 18th November 2018, 08:19 AM

My vote would be Sri Lanka
the chest decorations and much of the headwear is typical for there. More than that I cannot say
cheers
DrDavid

Ian · 18th November 2018, 02:10 PM

I would also go with Sri Lanka.

As an aside, the third individual from the left in the front row appears to show the typical features of achondroplasia dwarfism.

Ian.

A. G. Maisey · 18th November 2018, 09:29 PM

I believe Sri Lanka also.

In some South and South East Asian societies, dwarfs and physically handicapped people were kept by both courts and upper class households as servants and entertainers.

Some commentators have been critical of this practice. In fact, it was a form of social support, in a society where a handicapped person cannot perform normal work, and where there is no state system of support for the handicapped, it becomes a duty of those who can afford to do so, to support those who cannot support themselves.

Drabant1701 · 20th November 2018, 06:02 PM

Thanks for your replies. Sri Lanka it is then. Amittedly I know nothing about Sri Lankan culture, I do however i find a bit odd is that the man in the middle has no jewelry or fancy hat, one would think that that position in a photo would be occupied by a person of status.

Rick · 20th November 2018, 11:26 PM

I wonder if those second row fellows were some sort of bodyguard/warrior class.
There are two without head covering and two with; none are wearing jewelry.

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I believe Sri Lanka also.

In some South and South East Asian societies, dwarfs and physically handicapped people were kept by both courts and upper class households as servants and entertainers.

Some commentators have been critical of this practice. In fact, it was a form of social support, in a society where a handicapped person cannot perform normal work, and where there is no state system of support for the handicapped, it becomes a duty of those who can afford to do so, to support those who cannot support themselves.

A most interesting note on this circumstance in these cultures and very well explained. I have always very much appreciated your keen insights into the deeper aspects of the cultures whose arms and arts we collect.

Thank you Alan!

A. G. Maisey · 21st November 2018, 08:23 PM

Goes with the territory Jim. Anybody who has been associated with Jawa and Indonesia as long as I have would understand pretty much the same things.

drdavid · 21st November 2018, 09:16 PM

The gentlemen with the shell chest pieces and the two at the back with the spiky headdress I associate with the ceremonial dance and drum groups that welcome dignitaries to a meeting/dinner etc for a special occasion (I was in Sri Lanka earlier this year and they wore essentially the same outfits)
DrD

Prasanna Weerakkody · 29th April 2019, 07:30 AM

coming in to the discussion a bit late as I just only ran in to it. being from Sri Lanka I can confirm that this image is Sri Lankan.

The image seem to be early 1900's and include a group of local dancers of the Kandyan tradition - dressed in "Pantheru" and "Wes" dancing costumes.

What is of interest is that the costume is assumed to be based on historic warrior armor where the decorative elements were replaced by chain and steel.

the Dances are still performed in Religious festivals and ceremonial events.

15th November 2018, 07:02 PM	#1
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Origin of photo I have this photo in my collection. Looks like India to me. Can anyone pin the location more precisely? Attached Images

29th April 2019, 07:30 AM	#10
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Sri Lankan location confirmation coming in to the discussion a bit late as I just only ran in to it. being from Sri Lanka I can confirm that this image is Sri Lankan. The image seem to be early 1900's and include a group of local dancers of the Kandyan tradition - dressed in "Pantheru" and "Wes" dancing costumes. What is of interest is that the costume is assumed to be based on historic warrior armor where the decorative elements were replaced by chain and steel. the Dances are still performed in Religious festivals and ceremonial events.

18th November 2018, 08:19 AM	#2
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	My vote would be Sri Lanka the chest decorations and much of the headwear is typical for there. More than that I cannot say cheers DrDavid

18th November 2018, 02:10 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	I would also go with Sri Lanka. As an aside, the third individual from the left in the front row appears to show the typical features of achondroplasia dwarfism. Ian.

18th November 2018, 09:29 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	I believe Sri Lanka also. In some South and South East Asian societies, dwarfs and physically handicapped people were kept by both courts and upper class households as servants and entertainers. Some commentators have been critical of this practice. In fact, it was a form of social support, in a society where a handicapped person cannot perform normal work, and where there is no state system of support for the handicapped, it becomes a duty of those who can afford to do so, to support those who cannot support themselves.

20th November 2018, 06:02 PM	#5
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Thanks for your replies. Sri Lanka it is then. Amittedly I know nothing about Sri Lankan culture, I do however i find a bit odd is that the man in the middle has no jewelry or fancy hat, one would think that that position in a photo would be occupied by a person of status.

20th November 2018, 11:26 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I wonder if those second row fellows were some sort of bodyguard/warrior class. There are two without head covering and two with; none are wearing jewelry.

21st November 2018, 08:23 PM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Goes with the territory Jim. Anybody who has been associated with Jawa and Indonesia as long as I have would understand pretty much the same things.

21st November 2018, 09:16 PM	#9
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	The gentlemen with the shell chest pieces and the two at the back with the spiky headdress I associate with the ceremonial dance and drum groups that welcome dignitaries to a meeting/dinner etc for a special occasion (I was in Sri Lanka earlier this year and they wore essentially the same outfits) DrD