Your TR Source
Film includes scenes of African peoples and of Theodore Roosevelt’s safari party, all probably filmed in British East Africa (Kenya) in 1909. It appears to be a fragment of the production, Roosevelt in Africa, which was released on April 18, 1910. Photographer – Cherry Kearton.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1909
Scenes of African peoples and of Theodore Roosevelt’s safari party, all probably filmed in British East Africa (Kenya) in 1909. View of Roosevelt planting a tree in front of trading company building, possibly located in Mombasa; Roosevelt and members of his party examine a gun in the presence of African tribesmen; unidentified tribesmen pose individually for camera at close range, with campsite visible in background; at campsite porters work busily, either setting up or breaking camp, with Roosevelt briefly visible; view of Kikuyu and/or Masai dance in honor of Roosevelt’s visit; Roosevelt party crosses stream, with porters carrying gear and safari members across water toward camera; rainmaker dances in ritual ceremony, surrounded by Swahilis; members of unknown tribe draw water from a well, with large thatched structure in background; views of Masai men, women, and children in kraal, with clear shots of mud houses; Roosevelt and his party appear in group of Kikuyu and/or Masai tribesmen; women who are probably Masai form ceremonial circle on open plain.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1909
Willis R. Hotchkiss describes the progress of his missionary work at Lumbwa in British East Africa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12
After his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt took part in a safari through parts of eastern and central Africa, funded and organized by the Smithsonian Institution. In this film, Roosevelt and members of his party appear in different locations, all probably in the vicinity of Mt. Kenya, British East Africa (Kenya), in 1909. There are views of Kikuyu and/or Masai ritual dances, shots of Roosevelt and party with tribesmen, campsite porters busy at work, and Roosevelt on horseback. The film also contains several views of what is probably part of the large Kikuyu dance performed in Roosevelt’s honor at Nyeri in August, with a small number of Masai also participating. There is a view of large number of what may be Masai women ceremonially forming circle, through which men with shields pass.
Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound
1909
The people of Nairobi remind Theodore Roosevelt of Rudyard Kipling’s stories, but locals do not appreciate the comparison. Kermit Roosevelt has been a great comfort and Roosevelt is very proud of him. Kermit has been taking part in race week but always on poor horses. Roosevelt describes some of the local people, including the “warlike Masai” and women “painted with vermillion and ochre.” He was glad to hear that the family was enjoying the European trip and does not want Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt to “economize in foolish ways.”
1909-08-01