UNESCO
Arthur Bernard Deacon (1903-27) collection MS 90-98
The original drawings and notes of Arthur Bernard Deacon, during his visit to Malekula and the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) in 1926 recording the language, customs and traditional tales of the people he studied, and illustrating the famous sand drawing tradition for which the islands are still renowned. The material he collected from the individuals he interviewed is of great value to the people of the islands of Vanuatu eager to retain knowledge of their heritage, and his recording is detailed and unique. Deacon’s portrayal of a culture without an extensive written history is of importance to all of us and brings to light the work of one of the most promising anthropologists of the last century.
Registration Year: 2013
Submission Year: 2012
Submitted by: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vanuatu
Related Committee:
Document type: Drawings
Collection locations
Media Gallery
Traditional carving (1926). Drawing from notebook by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute
Nelemew carved drum (1926). Pencil drawing from notebook by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute
Notes on geometrical figure-drawing. Handwritten notes by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute
The rat (1926). Geometrical sand-drawing by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute
The turtle (1926). Geometrical sand-drawing by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute
Temes malau, a mask of the Nalawan (1926). Drawing and notes by A.B. Deacon.
© Royal Anthropological Institute