Fifty Days in the Life of Figan

Gombe Photo Gallery — Page 2

Kasakela Females


Melissa

In 1974, Melissa was quite a social and integrated member of the Kasakela community, along with her son Goblin (age 10) and daughter Gremlin (age 5). Later, Melissa would give birth to twins — as would Gremlin, who would go on to become an important matriarch in Kasakela.

Melissa and Gremlin at the banana trench.

Gremlin and Melissa in hopes of receiving bananas. download small


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Gremlin attempts to suckle while Goblin raises a question. download small


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Melissa and Goblin groom each other while Gremlin rests. download small

Melissa pant-grunts and cradles Gremlin while encountering the alpha male, Figan, on a forest trail. Figan’s hair is puffed out, but he reasures Melissa and no aggression occurs. (National Geographic, May, 1979, p. 599. © National Geographic Society).1 download small

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Gremlin (left) and most likely Freud play in dense vegetation of lower Kasakela valley. download small

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Most likely Freud and Gremlin in lower Kasakela. download small


Fifi

Attractive and mild-mannered, Fifi (age 16) was the high-ranking daughter in the powerful “Flo Family,” which included her brothers Faben and Figan. During the Figan Follow, Fifi was present 13% of the time, more than other females with young. She fought repeatedly with Patti, a young, sexually-receptive adult female who had recently immigrated to the Kasakela community.

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Fifi travels along one of the upper ridges. download small

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Fifi strolls along the Linda beach. Freud rides jockey style. download small

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Fifi rests along the Linda-Rutanga ridge during group travel to the northernmost part of the Kasakela community’s territory. download small