Jackson Collection: 31: Locusts. Durbar scenes.

This film is held by the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum (ID: 2005/092/031).

Synopsis

Gold Coast. Northern Territories. Study of Lizards and small insects on earth baked ground in open flat scrubland. Swarm of locusts in huge cloud attacking trees and almost blackening out the light. Tribal gathering in flat scrub country. Large crowd of native warriors surge forward towards the camera armed with bows and arrows and carrying arrow quivers. Ritual dance by the warriors to music provided by African musicians playing single sting lute type instruments who stand in front of the crowd. Dance by other musicians some of whom with the "Talking Drums". Dance by the warriors brandishing their bows and arrows. Small group of African teenage girls stripped to the waist perform very active athletic dance in acting out a story, before group of seated African women, near thatched village huts in open county but on ground which has white washed lines. A small young naked boy joins them and carries on the dancing. Large group of African adolescent girl and young women dance amongst themselves on the edge of village to music provided by male drummers. The dancers are stripped to the waist but wear short white skirts. Some of the women dancing are carrying their babies in shawls on their backs. Under the trees in open country standing young African women gather. Household utensils and goods are lying on the ground. The girls pose in close shots for the camera and they dance. A young British official with swagger stick dressed in shorts, stocks and shorts and tope joins in dancing a conga / crocodile like dance. Arrival at village of large group of horsemen, for 'Durbar' gathering, who are surrounded by welcoming crowds. Some of the horsemen wear the circular pointed hats and pottery ware is being carried. The people gather on parade ground come square in front of a flagpole from which a flag flies under the leadership of a mounted figure. The men who are carrying muskets are then marshalled into a wide file and march off into the countryside with flags and banners being displayed. Mounted men at the front of the parade. The tribal chiefs taking shade under the ceremonial umbrellas await with their entourage and retainers the return of the march. Orchard on the edge of village through which group of African warriors with their bows and arrows swarm toward the unseen visitor and his camera in ritual display of hostility / defiance. Close individual character shots of some of the elders and people of the village. African policemen stands smartly to attention while standing beside official car in the ground of official white washed bungalow which has elevated veranda and thatched roof. Ceremony or Dubar in open country. Chiefs in their robes Large processing crowds. The tribesmen marching in columns with their muskets. Others marching with only their bows and arrows. Naval yardarm past which the marching is centred. Small group of warriors brandishing their bows and arrows pose for camera close shots. Character close up of village elders. British official demonstrates use of surveying theodolite to villagers and elders. Garden grounds of British Official Residency. Tamala? The water hydrant is turned on by British official to inaugurate the new water supply and the water flows from water hydrant down a rough corrugated iron channel.

Production / Donor Details: Donor's grandfather, Sir Francis Walter F Jackson was Chief Commissioner, Gold Coast (Ghana) 1934-36.

 

Titles

  • Jackson Collection: 31: Locusts. Durbar scenes. (Archive)
Series Title:
Jackson Collection
 

Technical Data

Year:
1936
Film Gauge (Format):
16mm
Sound:
Mute
Footage:
400ft
 

Production Credits

Production Details
See synopsis
 

Countries

 
 

Groups

This film belongs to the following groups.

Jackson Collection

 

 

Jackson Collection: 31: Locusts. Durbar scenes. (1936)

Gold Coast. Northern Territories. Study of Lizards and small insects on earth baked ground in open flat scrubland. Swarm of ...

 

Jackson Collection: 32: Gold Coast life (1936)

Gold Coast. Group of small African boy with containers on their heads take water from a pond in the country ...

 
 

Archive Work Groups

Groups

This film belongs to the following groups.

Jackson Collection

 

 

Jackson Collection: 31: Locusts. Durbar scenes. (1936)

Gold Coast. Northern Territories. Study of Lizards and small insects on earth baked ground in open flat scrubland. Swarm of ...

 

Jackson Collection: 32: Gold Coast life (1936)

Gold Coast. Group of small African boy with containers on their heads take water from a pond in the country ...