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1. 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

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 (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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Two dancers in masquerade attire at the Banda Cultural Centre Commissioning, 1995

Description:
Two Ligbi men from Bongase appear in masquerade regalia prior to a "Do" or "Bedu" performance at the commissioning celebration of the Banda Cultural Centre in Ahenkro. Their carved wooden masks represent a male and female pair of baboons (Mbong in Ligbi). Their heads and shoulders are draped in scarves, they wear raffia skirts around their waist, and over top of socks covering their feet they wear metal jangles on a chain wrapped around their ankles. They are accompanied by a number of men from Bongase. Pictured L-R: Fariah Salah, Kwame Yirikro, Abau Yaya, Abuu Doctor (masked dancer), Adoma, Ansoma Sala (masked dancer), Dandu, Alhaji Moro Mahama. A performance of Mbong at a June 2019 Banda Heritage Event can be viewed through a link below. Ahenkro, 21 July, 1995.
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/17-17128 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17332; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Bedu; Do; Banda Cultural Centre; Baboon
Subjects Facet:
Textiles; Dance; Clothing; Masquerades; Masks; Ligbi language; Wood carvings
Identifier:
Negatives 14a and 15a
Creator:
Andrew Black
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
1995
Date searchable:
1995-07-21
Genre:
Black-and-white negative
Genre Facet:
Black-and-white negative
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.165961, -2.354312
Date Digitized:
2019-09-20
People Facet:
Andrew Black
Commentary:
Negative scanned by Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.165961, -2.354312

10. Banda Heritage Event: Bongase Bedu, 2019

Description:
At a day-long celebration of the Banda area's rich cultural heritage at the Banda Cultural Centre in Banda-Ahenkro, Ligbi community members from Bongase performed a masquerade dance which today they call "Bedu" but scholars term "Do." Two masks performed: Mbong (Baboon) and Gbanyamuso (Beautiful Gonja Woman). Their costumes include metal jangles worn around their ankles. The dancers are accompanied by women singing in Ligbi and drumming on conga and box drums, as well as by young men drumming and fanning the dancers. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019. Length: 00:15:26 minutes.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
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/17-17335; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17127; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17130
Date:
2019-06-28
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Performance; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Dance; Songs; Music; Rites and Ceremonies; Drums (musical instrument); Masks; Wood carvings; Masquerades; Regalia; Heritage
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Ansoma Sala; Alaji Moro Mahama
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-28
Genre Facet:
Digital video
Format:
Video
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Language Facet:
Ligbi; Nafaanra; English
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.166006, -2.354521
Commentary:
Film produced using Adobe Premiere Pro 2021
Geographic Coordinates:
8.166006, -2.354521

11. Ligbi masquerade dancer, 2019

Description:
A Ligbi masquerade dancer from Bongase performs at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. He wears a mask known as Gbanyamuso in Ligbi (beautiful Gonja woman), his body draped in a floral cloth. A young man follows close behind, fanning the dancer as he performs. An elder Libgi woman and a young man beat square drums as they follow behind the dancer. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17127
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Banda Cultural Centre; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Heritage; Community event; Masks; Wood carvings; Masquerades; Dance; Ligbi (language)
Creator:
Kelvin Asare
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-28
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.165961, -2.354312
Geographic Coordinates:
8.165961, -2.354312

12. Ligbi masquerade dancer, 2019

Description:
A Ligbi masquerade dancer from Bongase performs at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. He wears a carved wooden baboon mask (mbong in Ligbi). His body is draped in black and his head in shimmering silver cloth. Attendants fan him as he dances. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17138
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Banda Cultural Centre; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Heritage; Community event; Masks; Wood carvings; Masquerades; Dance; Ligbi (language)
Creator:
Kelvin Asare
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-28
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.165961, -2.354312
Geographic Coordinates:
8.165961, -2.354312

13. Ligbi masquerade dancers, 2019

Description:
Two Ligbi masquerade dancers from Bongase perform at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. One (left) wears a mask known in Ligbi as Gbanyamuso (beautiful Gonja woman), his body draped in a floral cloth. The other wears a baboon mask (mbong in Ligbi), his body draped in black and his head in a shimmering silver cloth. He carries a whisk in his right hand. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17138; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17127
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Banda Cultural Centre; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Heritage; Community event; Masks; Wood carvings; Masquerades; Dance; Ligbi (language)
Creator:
Kelvin Asare
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-28
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.165961, -2.354312
Geographic Coordinates:
8.165961, -2.354312

14. Drumming for masquerade dancers, 2019

Description:
An elder Ligbi woman and a young man play drums with their hands during a masquerade dance performed at a heritage celebration organized by the Banda Heritage Initiative. Seated in the background to the right are Nafana potters from Dorbour with an array of their wares. Ahenkro, 28 June, 2019.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19216
Location(s) Facet:
Ahenkro
Subjects:
Banda Cultural Centre; Bedu; Do
Subjects Facet:
Heritage; Community event; Masquerades; Dance; Ligbi (language); Drums (musical instrument); Pottery
Creator:
Kelvin Asare
Date searchable:
2019
Date searchable:
2019-06-28
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ahenkro;8.165961, -2.354312
Geographic Coordinates:
8.165961, -2.354312