TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:
    Dan Ceremonial Spoon

    Artists in Dan society have mastered the art of carving
    impressive, large wooden spoons that are virtuoso works of
    sculpture. The spoons are known by many names, including
    wake mia or wunkirmian, which roughly translates as “spoon
    associated with feasts.”

    The spoons range in size from a foot to two feet and have
    one or (rarely) two parallel bowls. The handle of the spoon is
    always related to the human form and often feature a pair of
    legs like this example.

    Among the Dan, the owner of the spoon is called a wunkirle,
    or wake de, or “at feasts acting woman.” It is a title of great
    distinction that is given to the most hospitable woman of the
    village. With the honor, however, comes responsibility -- the
    wake de must prepare the large feast that accompanies
    masquerade ceremonies. The excellent farming abilities,
    organizational talents, and culinary skills of the wake de are
    called upon to properly welcome and celebrate the
    masquerade spirits.

    When a woman has been selected as the main hostess of
    such a feast, she parades through town carrying the large
    spoon as an emblem of her status.  On the day of the feast,
    she dances around the village dressed in men's clothes
    because “only men are taken seriously.”

    With help from her numerous assistances (usually female
    relatives or friends), she distributes grains and coins to the
    children of the community while dancing and singing her
    special shrill song. The deep belly of the spoon from which
    this bounty is dispensed becomes the symbolic body or
    womb of the female figure. The event creates a profound
    visual analogy that honors the hostess, and women in
    general, as a source of food and life

    In addition to being emblems of honor, wunkirmian also
    have spiritual power.  They are a Dan’s woman’s chief
    liaison with the power of the spirit world and a symbol of that
    connection.  Among the Dan, the wunkirmian have been
    assigned a role among women that is comparable to that
    which masks serve among the men. In many instances,
    wunkirmian are featured in the same ceremonies with
    masks, tossing rice in front of them as a blessing while they
    proceed through the village.


Ethnic Group:
    Dan Society


Country of Origin:  
    Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire

Material:   
    Wood

Dimensions:
    19 inches


Reference:                  
Four Dan Sculptures -  Continuity and Change

Marc Ginzberg, African Form

Lindsay Hooper,  "Domestic Arts -- Carved Wooden

Philip L. Ravenhill, The Art of the Personal Object

Ernest Winizki, African Spoons