Peace or war? Jirga of Massuzai Orukzai before 1895

This photograph, "Peace or war? Jirga of Massuzai Orukzai," by Frederick Saint John Gore captures a moment laden with tension. Notice how the composition divides the scene horizontally: the lower half is dominated by figures gathered near a tent, while the upper half features a stark, open landscape punctuated by distant mountains. The photograph's formal structure invites a reading where elements of potential conflict and resolution coexist. See the rifles held by the figures – vertical lines that introduce a sense of unease and stand in contrast to the seated postures of the men, which suggest deliberation and potential agreement. The tent serves as a focal point. It is a space for negotiation, literally framing discussions of peace and war. The photograph, with its careful balance of opposing elements, presents a semiotic challenge. The arrangement of figures and objects creates a visual discourse on the precarious balance between conflict and resolution. The open-ended title acknowledges that the meaning remains unresolved, leaving us to contemplate the uncertain outcome of this tribal assembly.