Bronze. The female figure is cm. 35,0 high; the male figure is cm. 31,7 high. Grams 1348,0. Headed by the Oluwo (chief priest), the Yoruba Ogboni (meaning 'cult of old age') is a society of respected elderly men and women responsible for the management and wellbeing of their community through...
Wood, metal, fur, fiber, hair, brass bells, pigment. This mask, which appears to represent a bush spirit, combines many diverse materials to create an image of power. Multiple eyes, two protruding winglike ears, large teeth, and other power symbols such as 5 heavy bells and a beard of authentic animal...
The Khomissar, in the form of a stylized hand, is believed to ward off the evil eye.
Wood cm. 54 high; weight 2,1 kg. Motherhood plays an important role in all societies, but in African culture, a woman is often evaluated by the number of children she produces: in traditional West African societies, the woman has the main purpose of fathering and raising children. Understanding the importance...
The Sidama are an ethnic Cushitic people traditionally inhabiting the Sidama Zone of the Southern Ethiopia. They speak the Sidamo language, which is a language of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. The Sidama preserved their cultural heritage, including their traditional religion and language despite the conquest by...
Wood. Cm. 96 width x cm. 20 high x cm. 19 depth. Kg. 8,0. "Zoomorphic helmet masks like the one seen here are worn by members of the all-male Senufo association known as Poro, during funerals of important elders and other ceremonies. These prestigious and powerful masks are visual statements...
Leather, iron beads. Cm. 17,0 high x cm. 12,5 width. Grams 1992. The Himba (or OvaHimba) are indigenous peoples living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene Region (formerly Kaokoland) and on the other side of the Kunene River in Angola. The Himba are considered the last (semi-) nomadic, pastoralist people...
Engraved wooden jewel case, paint. End 19th century – cm. 25,0 high x cm. 25,3 width x cm. 17,3 depth. The Imazighen (singular Amazigh) also known as the Berbers are among the original peoples of North Africa. Their myths, legends and history span 9,000 years, back to the Proto-Mediterraneans. They...
Terracotta. Cm 52,5 high x cm. 14,5 wide. The Nok culture is an early Iron Age population whose material remains are named after the Ham village of Nok in Kaduna State of Nigeria, where their terracotta sculptures were first discovered in 1928. The Nok Culture appeared in northern Nigeria around...
Wood. Cm. 55,0 high. The Zaramo people are an East African ethnic group found along the coast of Tanzania, particularly in its Pwani Region. By oral tradition, the Zaramo are said to be descendants of the Shomvi people under the lead of the warrior-hero, Pazi in the early 19th century. The...
