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
This exhibit includes a variety of 20th century masks from cultures in Western Coastal and Central Africa, including masks of the Ijo, Igbo, Ibibio, and Yoruba cultures from Nigeria, along with masks of the Kuba culture from Democratic Republic of Congo. Artists of these cultures carved the masks from wood and painted them to depict figures with human-like physical … [Read more...] about African Masks and Headdresses: Researched by Katie Kimbrough
The three masks in this exhibit have the identifying features of both the lukwakongo masks and the idimu masks of the Lega culture Bwami society. The long, slender noses and the scarification are typical, as are the small mouths with protruding lips, which represent a dissatisfied teacher’s pursed lips. The incised vertical scarification lines in the lips are also typical, and … [Read more...] about Bwami Society Lukwakongo and Idimu Masks: Researched by Whitney Mosley
The Bamana culture of Western Africa is probably best-known for antelope masks, but the artists of this culture make other important masks as well. The Bamana Bush Cow Mask should not be confused with the bush cow masks of other nearby cultures; while they depict the same animal, the Bamana Bush Cow Mask is simple, organic, and curvilinear in comparison to the other … [Read more...] about Bush Cow Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang
Among the common animals that are portrayed in Western African masks is the bush cow, or buffalo, which is believed in cultures such as the Bobo to personify an important deity known as Do, a nature spirit that is believed to be nature’s life force. Bush cow masks are primarily seen in harvest festivals, in entertainment masquerades for tourists, and in ceremonies that … [Read more...] about Bush Cow Mask with Geometric Designs: Researched by Brandellia Hang