Improving African Futures Using Lessons from the Past

Two men in masquerade attire, Bongase, 1967


Description:
Two Ligbi men from Bongase appear in masquerade regalia during a visit to Bongase by René A. Bravmann, then a doctoral student at Indiana University studying African art history. Front and side views. Mama Dri (left) and Mama Panyini (right) wear carved wooden "Mbong" (baboon in Ligbi) masks decorated with ochre and white paint, representing a male and female pair. Their heads and shoulders are draped in scarves. They stand in front of a house with a thatched roof and a raffia shade. Scholars refer to this masking tradition as "Do," while locally it is termed "Bedu." For additional details, see Bravmann, René A. (1974) "Islam and Tribal Art in West Africa" (Cambridge University Press), pp. 147-177, plates 77-79. A June 2019 performance of Mbong at a Banda Heritage Event can be viewed through a link below. Bongase, December, 1967.
Rights:
Copyright Undetermined
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17335 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17139 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17128 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17138 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Baboon; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Wood carvings; Textiles; Clothing; Regalia; Masquerades; Ligbi language; Masks
Identifier:
Negatives 4a/5 and 5a/6
Creator:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Contributors:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Date searchable:
1967
Date searchable:
1967-12
Genre:
Black-and-white negative
Genre Facet:
Black-and-white negative
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.238039, -2.276274
Date Digitized:
2019-09-20
People Facet:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Commentary:
Negatives scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274