Human Studies Film Archives

Guide to the Austrian Motorcycle Expedition Through Africa, Capetown to Cairo film, 1935-1936

Summary

Collection ID:
HSFA.1979.01
Creators:
Bohmer, Josef
Dates:
1935-1936
Languages:
Moving image materials are silent; supplementary materials are in English
Physical Description:
1 Film reel
37 minutes
black-and-white silent; 1365 feet
16mm
Linear feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Edited film of a motorcycle expedition by six Austrians who traversed Africa from October 1935 to March 1936. Footage documents the rigors of overland travel on motorcycle as well as encounters with three tribal groups: Zulus in South Africa, Kikuyu in Kenya, and Latukas in the Sudan. Film includes ceremonial dance at a Zulu wedding, Zulu homesteads, and activities around a mission school; Kikuyu women on the way to market and in a market and distinctive ear ornamentation worn by these women; and Latuka homesteads and kraals. Also included are shots of Victoria Falls, expedition members with African bearers climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro, crossing the Nubian Desert, and logistics of setting up a mobile camp.
Collection also contains sound recordings and annotations (recorded narratives), photographs, field notes and maps.
Legacy Keywords: Dwellings circular thatched Zululand ; Schools mission schools South Africa ; Dance weddings Zulu South Africa ; Hair wearing of Zulu South Africa ; Markets marketwomen Kikuyu Kenya ; Corrals kraals Latuka Sudan ; Mutilation ear lobes Kikuyu Kenya ; Adornment ear ornaments Kikuyu Kenya ; Tents use in expedition camping ; Motorcycles Putsh as overland transport Africa ; Water wheels ox-driven Sudan ; Architecture Great Pyramids Egypt ; Language and culture
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or Anthropology Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Josef Bohmer in 1979.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. Please contact the archives for information on availability of access copies of audiovisual recordings. Original audiovisual material in the Human Studies Film Archives may not be played.
Preferred Citation
Austrian Motorcycle Expedition Through Africa, Capetown to Cairo film, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution

More Information

Local Number

Local Number
HSFA 1979.1.1


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Africa, North Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, Eastern Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Egypt Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sudan Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Kenya Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
South Africa Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Zulu (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Kikuyu (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lotuko (African people) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Arabs Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
silent films Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Human Studies Film Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland 20746
hsfa@si.edu