Bobo culture artists create large horizontal masks known as butterfly masks. This Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns incorporates all of the typical features of a traditional butterfly mask: The body is made of a long, horizontal wooden plank; the eyes are carved like a bullseye and painted white, black, and red; and the curved beak protrudes and hangs over a … [Read more...] about Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns: Researched by Brandellia Hang
The Mossi culture of Western Africa neighbors the Bobo culture, and like the Bobo and other nearby cultures, Mossi artists predominantly use red, white, and black pigments and geometric patterns in their masks. Also like the Bobo, the Mossi make masks that represent bush spirits, which are nature spirits that take animal form. Rooster masks are also among the … [Read more...] about Long-Beaked Rooster Helmet Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang
The Pair of Bead and Wire Girls and the Bead and Wire Woman likely developed from both beadwork for courtship rituals and traditional dolls to become another type of figurine that was created for the tourist trade. Like the Beaded Figurine of a Girl, these wire figures also represent traditional Ndebele female dress; these figures, however, are completely made … [Read more...] about Pair of Bead and Wire Girl Figures and Woman Figure: Researched by Kylei Giles
The colors and triangular patterns shown in this beaded bangle are a common subtype of Zulu beaded works that feature white, dark blue, light blue, black, and red designs, and one of the functions of wearable beadwork is to show characteristics of the wearer through such specific patterns and colors. A Ndebele woman may make beaded jewelry as decorations for her body and to … [Read more...] about Multicolored Beaded Bangle Bracelet with Triangle Pattern: Researched by Kylei Giles
The Beaded Figurine of a Girl is a type of figure that developed from the traditional corncob doll that was used to teach young girls how to nurture children. The body of the beaded figurine has a similar silhouette to an ear of corn, and this columnar figure illustrates an ideal of beauty for this culture. This beaded figurine also wears traditional Ndebele dress; the metallic … [Read more...] about Beaded Figurine of a Girl: Researched by Kylei Giles