Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch

Natalya Pimenova

doi:10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95

VAK Russia 5 UDC 39 CSCSTI 13.00 Russian Classification of Professions by Education 50.00.00 Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification 8 Russian Trade and Bibliographic Classification 8 BISAC ART

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VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY OF AFRICA: «JAGUAR» BY J. ROUCH Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch

АА Аа

Published in Asia, America and Africa history and modernity · Volume 5, Issue 1 · Pages 86–95 · Rubric: African Studies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95 · EDN: UZGJWI

Received: 09.03.2026 Accepted: 21.03.2026 Published: 30.03.2026

Authors

Natalya Pimenova

Federal State Educational Institution of Higher Education "Siberian Federal University" Associate Professor of the Department of Cultural Studies and Art History of the Siberian Federal University · Russian Federation · Krasnoyarsk

ABSTRACT

This study is devoted to the visual anthropological study of Africa. The primary object of the research is the work of the leading Africanist film anthropologist Jean Rouch (1917 – 2004), and the material is his film "Jaguar," shot in 1954 but edited and shown only in 1967. The key method of this study is philosophical and art historical analysis applied to visual anthropological film material. "Jaguar" is considered one of Rouch's most significant experiments in film research, along with "The Mad Masters" (1955) and "I Am a Negro" (1958). It is also the first full-length film in Rouch's creative biography. It is known that one of the leading actors, Damure Zika, proposed making a film about migration to the Gold Coast. It is also known that the film is somewhat fictional, as two of the three characters are acting out roles (Lam was not a shepherd in real life, and Damure was a healer). Research has shown that, while largely following the hero's journey, Jean Rouch's film actively emphasizes the characters' permanence. Their return home becomes, in effect, a return to themselves, and their single most valuable acquisition becomes respect, the status of a successful individual. The anti-capitalist nature of the African world is also evident, according to Jean Rouch, a thought he consistently conveys throughout the film. Also interesting is how the film discusses the diversity of Africa and its peoples, and the difficulty of freeing oneself from stereotypes in the perception of "the other." However, through the example of the main characters, it demonstrates that this is possible.

KEYWORDS

Jean Rouch, visual anthropology, Africa, «Jaguar

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Natal'ya P. Kopceva

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Pimenova N. N. Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch // Asia, America and Africa history and modernity. 2026. no. 1. pp. 86-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95. EDN: UZGJWI. (Date of access 03.10.2026).

MLA

Natalya Pimenova. "Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5.1 (2026): 86-95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95. EDN: UZGJWI.

APA

Pimenova N. N. (2026). Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch. Asia, America and Africa history and modernity, 5(1), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95 EDN: UZGJWI.

Chicago

Natalya Pimenova. "Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch." Asia, America and Africa history and modernity 5, no. 1 (2026): 86-95. https://doi.org/10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95. EDN: UZGJWI.

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{{cite journal | author = Pimenova N. N. | title = Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch | journal = Asia, America and Africa history and modernity | year = 2026 | volume = 5 | issue = 1 | pages = 86-95 | doi = 10.31804/2782-540X-2026-5-1-86-95 }} EDN: UZGJWI

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VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY OF AFRICA: «JAGUAR» BY J. ROUCH Visual anthropology of Africa: «Jaguar» by J. Rouch

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