TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities "Altering The Way You View The World Of Art" |
Type of Object:
Ethnic Group:
- Baga Nimba Headdress
20th c.
The most important of the Baga art forms is the great mask,
or Nimba. It represents the mother of fertility, protector of
pregnant women, and presides over all agricultural
ceremonies. It is a bust of a woman on four legs, and
represents a older woman who has given selflessly.
- The dancer, wearing a full raffia costume, carries the mask
atop his head and shoulders, looking out through holes
between the breasts. The peasants see its flowing fibre
robes and heavy breasts appear from amongst the crops
and beg for its protection, even if elsewhere they proclaim
themselves to be Moslems. When the mask appears at
important rituals, young women throw offerings of rice over
the masked dancer, thereby ensuring fertility.
This mask is carved from hardwood and often weighs as
much as 50 to 60 pounds and measuring 3 to 4 feet in
height.
The mask in this collection is covered in a shiny patina and
there are many traditional components; plaited hair, medial
crest, flattened breasts, zig zag patterns, brass tacks. It is
estimated to date from around the middle of the 20th
century. Although well worn the carving is still in an excellent
condition.
Ethnic Group:
- Baga Society
- Guinea
- Wood, Brass Studs
