The Pearl Primus Photograph Collection dates from the 1940s to the 1980s and reflects aspects of Pearl Primus's career as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and anthropologist. Photographs document Primus and others in performance, her role as a dance educator, and her travels to Africa to research its culture and dances.Primus is portrayed in "Anger," "Fanga," "Impinyuza," and "The Negro Speaks to Rivers" (1944) in which she interpreted Langston Hughes's poem. She is also shown with her husband, Percival Borde, in "Shango" (1957) and with Joe Nash in "Haitian PLay Dance" (1947). Members of the Pearl Primus Dance Company, Charles Blackwell, Joseph Commodor, Louis Pascale, Charles Queenan and George Shipman are depicted in "Bushasche, War Dance, A Dance for Peace" (1951). Primus is shown demonstrating dances, including one in a New York University classroom. Photographs of her African travels depict her dancing with Nigerians and Congolese, and being awarded the Star of Africa by Liberian President William U. S. Tubman (1949). The collection contains photographs possibly taken by Primus while in Africa including one with a Rwandan Batwa dancer (1949). Borde is also shown in unidentified performances as well as in group portraits taken in Lagos. Their son, Onwin is depicted backstage with Primus and in an individual portrait.Other photograph collections containing images of Primus include the Pearl Primus Portrait Collection and the Joe Nash Black Dance collection.
Content: Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso. Some items bear handwritten and/or typewritten captions on verso. Some items bear handwritten notations on verso. One item is mounted.
Content: Collection contains work by Otto Berk, Griff Davis, Catherine De Lattre, Gjon Mili and Gerda Peterich, among others.
Biographical/historical: Pearl Primus (1919-1994) was a renowned dancer, choreographer, teacher, and anthropologist who advanced dance from Africa, the West Indies, and the Southern U.S. as a influential element in American culture. Born in Trinidad, West Indies, and raised in New York City, she trained with the National Youth Adminsitration's dance group (1941) and later with the New Dance Group. Her first choreographed works reflected social protest, and she later incorporated African dance traditions in her performances and choreography for the theater, including Broadway. She founded the Pearl Primus Dance Company in 1946. With grant funding in 1949, she took her first of many trips to Africa, studying Afrfican dance and rituals. Se also traveled to the Carribean and the southern United States performing and researching local dance traditions. In 1954, she married dancer/choreographer Perival Borde, collaborating prorfessionally with him until Bode's death in 1979. Their son, Onwin, was born in 1955. Primus earned a Ph.D. in 1978, lectured widely and taught courses in anthropology and ethnic dance at numerous universities. She recieved many honors for her work and remained active in her field until her death in New Rochelle, N.Y..
Content: Pearl Primus Collection, 1920-1994; Duke University Libraries, American Dance Festival Archives; Box 90772, Durham, N.C. 27708-0772; United States.
Content: Forms part of the Pearl Primus Collection, 1945-1993.
Physical Description
Extent: 50 items (.2 cubic ft., 1 box)
Extent: 35 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ; 26 x 21 cm or smaller.
Extent: 15 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ; 18 x 16 cm or smaller.
