Human Studies Film Archives

Guide to the Mary Martin films of Turanian Herder-Farmers, 1974-1978

Summary

Collection ID:
HSFA.1988.14
Creators:
Martin, Mary
Spooner, Brian
Dates:
1974-1978
Languages:
No linguistic content; Not applicable
.
Physical Description:
12 Film reels
6 hours
color silent; 4,145 feet
S8 mm
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Full film record of life among Turanian pastoralists in northeastern Iran. Documentation focuses on scenes revealing the gendered division of labor: herding and milking of goats by men, processing milk into kashk (tart) by women, and men engaged in the collection of firewood. Other domestic and agricultural activities shown are plowing and irrigation of fields, harvesting and drying of barley, animal slaughter, spinning goat hair, making grape molasses, and drying tobacco. Footage also includes ceremonial activities associated with Persian new year and pilgrimages to Islamic shrines.
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 As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today.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.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Filmmaker and anthropologist Mary Martin Conducted fieldwork in northeastern Iran in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Turan Program from 1974 through 1978. She is currently Coordinator of the Middle East Center, University of Pennsylvania.

Administration

Custodial History
Previously titled "Turanian Herder-Farmers 1974-1978."
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Mary Martin in 1988.

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
Mary Martin films of Turanian Herder-Farmers, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
HSFA 1988.14.1

Bibliography

Bibliography
Martin, Mary. "Pastoralism: Milk and Firewood in the Ecology of Turan." Expedition 22:4 (Summer 1980).
Martin, Mary. "Making a Living in Turan: Animals, Land, and Wages." Expedition 22:4 (Summer 1980).


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Middle East Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Iran Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
silent films Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Agriculture Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cooking Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Domestic animals Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Nawrūz (Festival) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rites and ceremonies Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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