MoAW Weekly Spotlight - FACES OF AFRICA - The Bond Between The Past And The Present

December 25, 2020

Spotlight:

FACES OF AFRICA

The bond between the past and present,

the sacred living and the honored dead.

State Issues Stay At Home Orders.

Visit MoAW.org

and Plan Your Visit When We Reopen

Become a Member of MoAW Today

Membership Starts When We Reopen

Get 14 Months for the Cost of 12

Follow, Like, and Share

MoAW's Spotlight

With Friends & Family

on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Benin Bronze, Benin, West Africa

"If we stand tall it is because we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors." African Proverb

FACES OF AFRICA

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 the people of Africa, tribal masks and sculptures represent the invisible force assigned to them, 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 with the spirit, enhancing value and heightening power, creating a mystical empyreal bond between the past and present, the sacred living and the honored dead.

Benin Bronze,

Benin, West Africa

Dating to the eleventh century, Benin is among the oldest and most highly developed states in the coastal region of West Africa with Nigeria. The progenitors of the Benin Empire were ruled by “Kings of the Sky," a dynasty with driving influence and popular among the people ushering a golden age of art. Bronze plaques and sculptures were used to decorate the royal palaces of the Kings of Benin. Hundreds of artisans lived in the palace forming guilds of specialists including leopard hunters, astrologers, drummers, and craftspeople, producing brass, ivory, wood sculptures, embroidered textiles, and leather fans for the king, his chiefs, and priests. Supporting a royal crown with the greatest number of rings encircling his neck, this gilded sculpture portrays a beloved king who wields the balance of power between the living and the spirits of the deceased.

Yoruba Tribal Mask, Nigeria

Developing out of Mesolithic populations and into the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba, one of the largest and most ancient ethnological tribes of Africa, created a refined and naturalistic sculptural tradition in terracotta, stone, copper, brass, and bronze. Worn during funeral processions and rites of passage, this mask features a protective helmet and large round eyes to supervise all life and death transitions. Having evoked the spirit of the mask through dance, it is enshrined afterward for daily offerings of prayer and libations to influence the living and preserve the power of the ancestors on the Earth.

Buffalo Mask, (Bush Cow)

Bobo Tribe, Upper Volta.

Living in the Upper Volta region of Burkina Faso and Mali and regulated by a council of elders from all lineages, their homes are shared with generations of family members. The head of the household or father of the house is known as the “Wakoma.” The spirits of the masks are used to chase evil from their community and to purify the land for successful planting. Lasting for three days before the season and after harvest, dances are held to bring nature’s equilibrium and harmony to crops and preserve the health of cattle with drums and bells.

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 providing tourist incentive for the Coachella Valley's hospitality industry.

MoAW is a 501(c)(3)

Tax-Exempt Organization

Members of the

California Association of Museums (CAM)

and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)

Click here to DONATE directly to MoAW, the Museum of Ancient Wonders

Next Week:

Do you have a favorite piece at MoAW you would like to see highlighted in our weekly email? You can visit www.moaw.org, see the collections tab, visit the catalogs and state your choice on the link below.

Click to write to [email protected]

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, and stay at home, the better for state-wide statistics.

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

1-888-634-1123

Thank You

Members Perks

So many reasons to join MoAW, you help keep the museum open, allow us to acquire new artifacts, plan and present programs including the Second Friday Fantasy, and help local students learn about ancient civilizations and human origins.

For all that you do to help us we thank you in many ways:

Unlimited free admission for one year
Free Guest Passes (see Membership levels for details)
Invitations to Members-Only exhibition receptions and programs
Priority registration and discounts on programs and special events
Special rental rates for hosting events (see membership levels for details)
Copies of exhibition catalogs (see Membership levels for details)
Unique travel opportunities through the Museum Travel Alliance

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.

Thank you.