12.2012.01
Monthly Archives: September 2013
Rashad Michelle … “Hello, Kiti Howaito”
Often mistaken with her twin Mimmy, Kitty wears her bow on her left ear and usually wears red dresses. Kitty is bright, kindhearted, and speaks from her heart because she has no mouth.
Bubble Bath Decanter
09.2012.01
Ngil
Ngil
Object : Ngil (Mask)
Culture : Fang
Country : Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea
c. 1900
Collection : Vessel Cultural Exchange
Male, Fang secret society members wear masks called Ngil during initiation and persecution ceremonies. Certain masks and statues are made for members only because their sculptural art is tied to being devoted to bieri, a strong ancestor worship cult. Ancestor figure(s), bieri, are consulted when the clan was to change location, plant crops, during a palaver, before hunting and fishing, and going to war. The family cult does coexist with other beliefs as members seek to protect themselves from the deceased and receive aid in daily life matters.
Ngil
Object : Ngil (Mask)
Culture : Fang
Country : Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea
c. 1900
Vessel Cultural Exchange
Fang, secret society members are male and wear masks called Ngil during initiation and persecution ceremonies. Certain masks and statues are commisioned for members only because their sculptural art is tied to being devoted to bieri, a strong ancestor worship cult. Ancestor figure(s), bieri, are consulted when the clan was to change location, plant crops, during a palaver, before hunting and fishing, and going to war. The family cult does coexist with other beliefs as members seek to protect themselves from the deceased and receive aid in daily life matters.
Maasai Mask
Object : Mask
Culture : Maasai
Country :East Africa
20th Century
Vessel Cultural Exchange
The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley. Their society is comprised of sixteen sections (known in Maasai as Iloshon). The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people who lived under a communal land management system. Each section manages its own territory. According to Maasai traditional land agreement, no one should be denied access to natural resources such as water and land. The lifestyle of the Maasai should be embraced as a response to climate change because of their ability to farm in deserts and scrublands.
Maasai men are first and foremost warriors. They protect their people, their cattle and their grazing lands. Often standing over 6ft tall the Maasai warrior with his beaded hair, red checked blanket (shuka) and balled club, looks both fierce and beautiful. The Maasai women are responsible for all domestic tasks which include making their homes. The Maasai women are as impressive as the men in their looks. Tall, slender and bedecked with large beaded necklaces and long braided hair.
theblastmuseum 