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1. Carved wooden face masks, Banda, 1964

Description:
Early in his career, art historian Roy Sieber toured Ghana studying the country's indigenous art forms (Interview with Roy Sieber, "African Arts", Vol. 25, no. 4, Oct. 1992, pg. 48). Several years later Sieber's student René Bravmann returned to west central Ghana to study the region's masking traditions. This photo of masks taken by Roy Sieber is Included in René Bravmann's photo archives with the label "Do masks at Banda, R. Sieber photo, 1960s." Masks like these are used in masquerade dances to celebrate special occasions including weddings and public festivals such as the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. In his 1974 book "Islam and Tribal Art in West Africa" (Cambridge University Press, pg. 166), René Bravmann notes that at the time of his 1967 fieldwork there were in the "Ligbi village of Bungazi [Bongase] six Do [masks]... Interestingly enough, only three years prior to my fieldwork [1964], Roy Sieber recorded twelve Do face masks at Bungazi. My inquiries in 1967 revealed that five of the masks had been stolen and a sixth had deteriorated to the point where it was no longer usable." The masks pictured here (1964) may be among the Bongase masks that were stolen or deteriorated by the time of Bravmann's 1967 visit. Bongase, 1964.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Do
Subjects Facet:
Wood carvings; Rites and ceremonies; Dance; Islam; Masquerades; Marriage customs and rites; Regalia; Masks
Creator:
Dr. Roy Sieber
Contributors:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Date searchable:
1964
Date searchable:
1964
Genre:
35 mm slide
Genre Facet:
35 mm slide
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.238039, -2.276274
Date Digitized:
2016
People Facet:
Dr. Roy Sieber
Commentary:
Slide scanned by Veronique Plante
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274

2. 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
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-11
Genre:
Digital image
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.236556, -2.276194
People Facet:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.236556, -2.276194

3. Wooden face masks, Bongase, 1967

Description:
Two carved wooden masks which are worn during masquerade dances celebrating special occasions among Muslim Ligbi communities in the Banda area are displayed. The masks pictured here were photographed in 1967 by René A. Bravmann, then a doctoral student at Indiana University studying African art history. The mask pictured left (13.25 inches in length) represents a thrush (Kokogyinaka in Ligbi). The one on the right (9.75 inches in length) is a "beautiful Gonja woman" (Gbanyamuso in Ligbi). The masks are periodically renewed with pigments made from plants and earthen materials. This masking tradition is referred to by scholars as "Do" but it is referred to in Bongase as "Bedu." For additional details, see Bravmann, René A. (1974) "Islam and Tribal Art in West Africa" (Cambridge University Press), pp. 147-177. A 2019 performance of Gbanyamuso at a Banda Heritage Event can be viewed through a link below. Bongase, December, 1967.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17130; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Thrush
Subjects Facet:
Gonja (African people); Wood carvings; Masks; Ligbi language; Islam; Masquerades; Regalia
Identifier:
Negative 8a/9
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:
Negative scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274

4. Wooden face masks, Bongase, 1967

Description:
Two carved wooden masks which are worn during masquerade dances celebrating special occasions among Muslim Ligbi communities in the Banda area are displayed. The masks pictured here were photographed in 1967 by René A. Bravmann, then a doctoral student at Indiana University studying African art history. The mask pictured left (10.5 inches in length) represents a sheep (Saragigi in Ligbi). The one on the right (12.25 inches in length) is a bush cow (Siginkuru-ayna in Ligbi). The masks are periodically renewed with pigments made from plants and earthen materials. This masking tradition is referred to by scholars as "Do" but it is referred to in Bongase as "Bedu."For additional details, see Bravmann, René A. (1974) "Islam and Tribal Art in West Africa" (Cambridge University Press), pp. 147-177. Bongase, December, 1967.
Rights:
Copyright Undetermined
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17129
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Bush cow
Subjects Facet:
Wood carvings; Sheep; Masks; Ligbi language; Islam; Masquerades; Regalia
Identifier:
Negative 7a/8
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:
Negative scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274

5. Two carved wooden bush cow masks, Bongase, 2019

Description:
A man holds up for view a female (left) and male (right) pair of carved wooden bush cow (Siginjuru-ayna in Ligbi) masks during a 2019 interview with Ligbi elders in Bongase. Masks such as these have been used in masquerade dances to celebrate special occasions like weddings and public festivals including the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. The masks' features are highlighted by red, blue and white pigment. René A. Bravmann, an art historian, photographed the male bush cow mask 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. 147-177. Scholars refer to this masking tradition as "Do," while locally it is termed "Bedu." Bongase,11 June, 2019.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17126
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Bush cow
Subjects Facet:
Wood carvings; Masks; Dance; Islam; Masquerades; Marriage customs and rites; Regalia; Rites and ceremonies
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-11
Genre:
Digital image
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.236556, -2.276194
People Facet:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.236556, -2.276194

6. Masquerade dancer behind a cloth, Bongase, 1967

Description:
A Ligbi man from Bongase wearing masquerade regalia is partially hidden from view by men carrying a cloth as they walk between thatch-roofed houses en route to the space where the masqueraders will perform. He wears a carved wooden "Mbong" (baboon in Ligbi) mask. 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. Bongase, December, 1967.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17138 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17332; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Baboon
Subjects Facet:
Wood carvings; Masks; Ligbi language; Textiles; Masquerades; Chickens
Creator:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Contributors:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Date searchable:
1967
Date searchable:
1967-12
Genre:
35 mm slide
Genre Facet:
35 mm slide
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.238039, -2.276274
Date Digitized:
2019-09-24
People Facet:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Commentary:
Slide scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274

7. 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. They wear carved wooden "Mbong" (baboon in Ligbi) masks decorated with ochre and white paint, representing a male and female animal. 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. A performance of Mbong at a Banda Heritage Event in June 2019 can be viewed through a link below. Bongase, December, 1967.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
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/17-17332; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Bongase
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Baboon
Subjects Facet:
Regalia; Masks; Ligbi language; Textiles; Masquerades; Clothing; Wood carvings
Creator:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Contributors:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Date searchable:
1967
Date searchable:
1967-12
Genre:
35 mm slide
Genre Facet:
35 mm slide
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Bongase;8.238039, -2.276274
Date Digitized:
2019-09-24
People Facet:
Dr. René A. Bravmann
Commentary:
Slide scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.238039, -2.276274

8. 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