The Emir of Katsina, Sir Alhaji Usman Nagogo, holding a morning greeting ceremony, Katsina, Nigeria 1959 By Eliot Elisofon

"The Emir sits in a chair against the wall, with the dark blue turbaned members of his bodyguard at his right, and council and staff members at his left. One of the emir's son, Alhaji Mohamed Kabir, sits at his father's right. The senior member of the Emir's council is at his immediate left, then a secretary, then a scribe." [Eliot Elisofon's personal field note]. 


These photographs were taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959. (More)

The Emir of Katsina's elite bodyguard at the morning greeting ceremony (more)

 "Particular styles of turbans or particular textiles or colors may be reserved for specific occasions or for different segments of the aristocracy or their retainers. In the northern emirates, the turban is a central symbol of political authority. For secular political events, emirs and other elites prefer dark indigo-blue turbans; for example, when receiving official visitors, attending installation ceremonies and for equestrian displays." [Arnoldi M., 1995: Wrapping the Head, Crowning Achievements, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History].