Footage shot by artist Paul Travis during a trip through Africa and Southern Europe during 1927 and 1928.
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 As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today.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.
Contact the repository for terms of use.
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.
Received from the Archives of American Art in 1989.
The Archives of American Art holds the Paul B. Travis papers, 1925-1989.
Paul Travis films, Human Studies Film Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Titles are supplied by the archivist for untitled films.
Footage shot while Travis was on sabbatical leave from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Film documents his travels along the "Cape-to-Cairo" route begun by Cecil Rhodes. Footage includes: street scenes in Cape Town and indigenous dwellings along the South African train route; street scenes in Mombassa, Kenya; Mt. Kilamanjaro in Tanganyika (Tanzania); Hindu stone masons in Nairobi, Kenya; scenes in the Kikuyu Native Reserve; a Lumbwa harvest dance and Christmas service; Tutsi war dance at Billingyama, Ruanda; Africans (probably Banyoro) poling canoes on Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda; colonial labor parties on roadwork in the Belgian Congo (Zaire); Manbetu chief in feathered headdress at Ekibondi Village; Pygmy dance sequences; Congo elephant farm at Dungu, Belgian Congo; and street scenes and bazaars in Cairo, Egypt.
Legacy Keywords: Dancing ceremonies Kenya Congo ; Drumming Matabele Bira Mangbetu Rhodesia Belgian Congo ; Meals cooking South Africa ; Houses African house types ; Markets marketwomen Kenya Egypt ; Housebuilding African European ; Boats dugouts Lake Bunyoni ; Masonry Hindi masons Nairobi ; Garb ethnic Massai Kikuyu Mangbetu ; Adornment ear ornamentation Kikuyu ; Hair treatment of Massai Mangbetu ; Tea harvesting of plantations Kenya ; Cattle animal husbandry Nilotic ; Feathers use of in headdress Lumbwa Kenya ; Weapons spears Massai Lumbwa ; Musical instruments drums horns Lumbwa ; Smoking pipes Ruanda ; Roads construction of by natives Belgium Congo ; Mutilation lip discs Ubangi ; Elephants training of Congo Elephant Farm ; Streets bazzar Cairo ; Architecture Cairo ; Ceremony Mangbetu Bira Belgian Congo ; Language and culture; Cape Town (South Africa) ; Nairobi (Kenya) ; Dungi, Belgium Congo ; Lake Bunyoni, Ruanda ; Mt. Kilamanjaro, Kenya ; Lake Chihaffi, Ruanda ; Mufumbiro Mountains ; Billingyana, Belgian Congo ; Ekibondi (village), Belgian Congo ; Cairo (Egypt) ; Africa ; Hindi Nairobi ; Masai (African people) ; Lumbwa ; Wattusi ; Ubangi
HSFA 1989.17.1
Previously titled "Paul Travis African Travel Footage 1927-1928."
Footage shot while traveling in Greece and Italy. Scenes of Greece include harbor activities, Greek ruins including the Parthenon and Acropolis, Athen streets, and a military parade. Scenes in Florence, Italy include workers along the Arno River, street activities, and the Palazzo Vecchio. Scenes in Venice, Italy include canals and bridges, gondolas, and Piazza di San Marco. Footage also includes views of traveling through the countryside and the Seine River in Paris.
HSFA 1989.17.2
Previously titled "Paul Travis Travel Footage: Greece and Italy ca. 1927."