Two carved wooden face masks, Bongase, 2019

Description:

A man holds up for view two carved wooden masks during a 2019 interview with Ligbi elders in Bongase. These masks are used in masquerade dances to celebrate special occasions like weddings and public festivals such as the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. The mask on the left (13.25 inches in height) is a thrush (Kokogyinaka in Ligbi). The mask on the right (9.75 inches in length) is a "beautiful Gonja woman" (Gbanyamuso in Ligbi). Their features are highlighted by red, blue and white pigment. The Gbanyamuso mask is also adorned by a red hair band. A baboon mask (Mbong in Ligbi) lays on the table to the right. René Bravmann, an art historian, photographed these masks in 1967 during doctoral dissertation fieldwork. For additional details, see Bravmann, René A. (1974) "Islam and Tribal Art in West Africa" (Cambridge University Press), pp. 88-95. Scholars refer to this masking tradition as "Do," while locally it is termed "Bedu." A June 2019 performance of Gbanyamuso (center) at a Banda Heritage Event can be viewed through a link below. Bongase, 11 June, 2019.

Rights:

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial

Publisher:

University of Victoria Libraries

Relation:

https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17127 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216

Location(s) Facet:

Bongase

Subjects:

Bedu; Banda Cultural Centre; Thrush; Do

Subjects Facet:

Wood carvings; Masks; Dance; Islam; Masquerades; Marriage customs and rites; Rites and ceremonies