MoAW Weekly Spotlight - FACES OF AFRICA - A Mystical View of African Heritage

February 5, 2021

Spotlight:

FACES OF AFRICA

A Mystical View Of African Heritage

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Protected by a Habe tribesman from Ancient Nigeria, each diamond represents a human being with a path laid before them. These paths intersect and pass through the Circle of Life enlightening each encounter. Contemporary to the 1960s from the Republic of the Congo, this mural on widow shutters illustrates in graphic form the ideal of human unity.

FACES OF AFRICA

A Mystical View of African Heritage

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. Tribal 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 is an intimate and mystical view of the tribal heritage of Africa.

N’Tomo Mask, Bamana, Mali

One of the largest West African states, Mali was established by dynasties of tribesmen dating before the 15th century. The Bamana peoples and federations of other related clansmen established a vast and powerful empire.

N’tomo secret initiation societies are designed to furnish instruction in all aspects of life including marriage, death, and coming of age. The number of vertical rods that crown the head of this ritual mask equates to a person of eminence, someone well-versed in the spirit world and its rituals. Symbols of wealth and position, each rod is decorated with cowry shells. Males traditionally carry three or six rods, females, four or eight rods, and the androgynous, two, five, or seven. This mask carries 9. Applied on the faces of mature males to serve as protection for young boys during their initiation cycle before circumcision, the ritual dance fortifies them in their transition to adulthood.

Igbo Tribal

Terra Cotta Clay Mask,

Nigeria

An ancient trade route in southeastern Nigeria, Igboland is geographically divided into two sections by the fertile Niger River providing access to communication and securely joining the indigenous Igbo natives on both sides of the river banks culturally and linguistically.

One of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, they speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects. Today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism. Known for masquerades associated with the harvest festival and dating as far back as 900 AD, this terra cotta maiden spirit mask represents the beauty and peacefulness of womankind. Employed for sacred fertility rituals including ornate costumes, musical instruments, songs, dynamic dance, and participation from the entire village, the public celebrations create a unique carnival atmosphere.

Bafo Tribal Mask, Cameroon

Settling along the Atlantic coast during the Neolithic Era in present-day Cameroon, “Africa in miniature,” the longest continuous population of inhabitants were tribes such as the Baka, Bamileke, Bamoun, Bassa, Douala, Ewondo, Bafo, Bulu, and Baka, popularly known as the Pygmies, to mention a few out of the more than 250 ethnicities residing in geological and cultural diversity.

Living by the sea in the lush tropical rain forests gave rise to music and dance, fundamental elements associated with ceremonies, festivals, and traditional storytelling. A chorus of singers echoes the soloist while dancers wear bells and play an array of percussive instruments, flutes, horns, whistles, harp, and xylophones. Wearing a double crown of blue beads, solar rays emitting from the lower jaw, and a veil of netting, this spirit of the sea takes an oath to indulge the fishermen with a generous yield and a safeguarded return to shore.

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.

MoAW is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization; Members of the

California Association of Museums (CAM), and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).

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Help MoAW reopen during the pandemic.

After shuttering MoAW on 3 separate occasions for 2020. being closed more often than open, and with rising rates of infection, Riverside County moved back to Stay At Home Orders. Help MoAW and other Riverside County businesses reopen. The more people adhere to protocols, get tested, get vaccinated, and stay at home, the better for state-wide statistics.

Riverside County offers free testing and vaccinations at several sites, call Riverside County Health to schedule your test,

1-888-634-1123

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During the initial phase of "The Pause," we offered new members two extra months with membership. While we are back in "The Pause" we are offering this again. Current memberships will be extended by the amount of time we are closed and new members, 14 months of membership will start when we reopen. Click below for more information and to join.

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