Senufo masquerade insignia staffs have an important role in Senufo masquerades: When the principle masquerader wears a mask with strong male features, such as the Poro society kunugba’a helmet mask, a secondary masquerader carries the insignia staff with him, serving as a guardian to protect the principle masquerader from evil spirits. While the sculpture at the top of the … [Read more...] about Insignia Staff with a Seated Female Figure: Researched by Jordan Seyer
Decorative motifs on north African pottery may sometimes appear simple, but they are considered very important; in Algeria, for example, new members of a family, such as newlywed wives, are expected to adopt their in-law’s pottery styles. This vessel shows the importance of the painting decoration in the care taken to prepare the surface, which has been burnished to a shine … [Read more...] about Decorative Serving Pitcher: Researched by Olivia Smith
The objects in this exhibit were made by artists of the Lega culture as items for use in the ceremonial practices of the Bwami society. The Lega people, residing in the dense tropical rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa, are an ethnic group that is identifiable by their shared Bantu language of Kilega, common ancestry, and by their voluntary … [Read more...] about Bwami Society Art: Researched by Whitney Mosley
Beaded Kirdi cache-sexes are female aprons that were created primarily to “hide the sex,” or genitalia, of girls and women. They were traditionally presented to a family upon the birth of a daughter, and they were worn on special occasions such as weddings and the presentation of newborn children. Some cache-sexes have clearly mended tears, and this may reflect the practice of … [Read more...] about Kirdi Beaded Cache-Sexe Apron: Researched by Audrey Grace Cooper and Kylei Giles
The Batik Cloth Portraying two Women Carrying Bundles is a fine example of a Mozambique batik painting, which are made to portray traditional scenes of village life. While this batik portrays two women in long skirts and carrying bundles, others may show scenes of musicians, soldiers, or women with children. The signature “YAL” appears at the bottom of the batik, which helps to … [Read more...] about Tsonga/Shangaan Batik Cloth Paintings: Researched by Haiden Keener