 |
Sokoto Tribal King Sculpture, Nigeria
|
|
|
|
Sokoto Tribal Somba Sculpture, Nigeria
|
|
|
|
Spotlight:
FACES OF AFRICA
A Mystical View of Tribal Heritage
Sokoto Tribal Avatar &
Matrimonial Ritual
Celebrating the tradition of ritual and ceremony for more than 3,500 years, the mask is a sacred and revered object, honored and beloved in addition to being a feared and dangerous entity. For Africa, masks and sculptures represent the invisible force assigned to it, which may be the spirit of a wise ancestor, a tutelary deity, or any embodiment of supernatural power from the animal kingdom. Whoever wears a mask combines and unites their strength to the spirit associated with it, enhancing value and heightening power, creating a mystical empyreal bond between the past and present, the sacred living and the honored dead.
Faithfully recreated by award-winning artist Richard W. Jones, this critically acclaimed collection of authentic reproductions of ancient masks, murals, and sculptures celebrates 3,500 years of African tribal art and traditions. From ancient Nok heads to the spectacular masks of Dogon dances and contemporary South African murals, the popular Faces of Africa is an intimate and mystical view of the tribal heritage.
|
|
Sokoto Tribal King Sculpture, Nigeria
The Sokoto Empire developed as a result of the Fulani jihads (holy wars) which took place in the first decade of the 19th Century across what is now Northern Nigeria. Predominantly Muslim in faith, Sokoto is a city located near the confluence of the Sokoto and Rima Rivers and the seat of the caliphate.
Sultans ruled over one of the largest empires in Africa during the early 19th Century. The caliphate was the center of politics, religion and economics in the region until it fell to French and British colonial armies in the early 20th century.
This sculptural manifestation or avatar of the sultan traveled to remote villages to officiate over rituals and sacred festivities when, he, himself was not available to attend in person.
|
Sokoto Tribal Somba Sculpture, Nigeria
Unlike the overall abstractions of most African mask making, the faces of Sokoto figures are more natural and often seem to be portraits of actual people, as opposed to idealized images.
This realistic sculpture of a Somba maiden depicts her during a rite of passage ritual where she is presented to eligible tribesmen in the spirit of an antelope. Upon releasing her into the wilderness, the tribesmen are invited to chase, track and hunt the maiden, symbolically killing her with a spear. Upon capture, she is returned to the village unharmed and, if encouraged, enters into the state of matrimony.
|
MoAW's mission is to educate a diverse audience about the history of ancient civilizations and prehistoric life using fossils and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods; to enhance universal curriculum development for local and surrounding school districts, colleges, and universities while establishing museum diversity for the Coachella Valley.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
The last admission is taken one hour before closing.
Admission:
$15.00 Adults
$12.00 Students, Seniors, & Military
$ 3.00 Discount available for Coachella Valley Residents
$10.00 Group Rate for 10 or more individuals.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MoAW is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, the American Alliance of Museums, and the California Association of Museums.
|
|
Members Perks
The newest perk of membership: Free admission to over 1,200 museums nationwide through the North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM) Plus, discounts at their museum shops and restaurants (if given to their members). Local museums include the Palm Springs Art Museum and Cabot's Pueblo Museum, several museums in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, throughout California, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia, plus Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. This is available to all members at the Donor Level ($125.00) or higher. Current members who qualify will be receiving new membership cards with the NARM logo to be used at participating museums.
Current members who would like to upgrade their membership to take advantage of this new benefit please give us a call, (442) 268-5004.
Click below for more information and to join.
THANK YOU
|
ON DISPLAY EXCLUSIVELY
AT THE
MUSEUM OF
ANCIENT WONDERS
|
FACES OF AFRICA:
A Mystical View of
Tribal Heritage
(38 Replica Masks and Sculptures)
|
TUTANKHAMUN:
"Wonderful Things"
Treasures From The Pharaoh's Tomb
(124 Egyptian replicas)
|
MESOZOICA:
The Age of Dinosaurs
(Approximately 100 fossil-cast dinosaur elements and fully-mounted skeletons from around the world.)
|
LUCY:
The Story of Human Origins
(Courtesy of the Institute of Human Origins and the National Museum of Ethiopia,
Addis Ababa)
On view exclusively at the
Museum of Ancient Wonders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
