Africa
Life relies on a continuing cycle of giving and receiving. - Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher
Key Ideas
|
Major Civilizations
|
Click on the picture to see a video of the ceremonies
|
Once a year, on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, up to a thousand Wodaabe midas come together for a courtship ceremony called the Geerewol. At this time, the men display their charm and beauty in a series of competitive dances and the women judge them - selecting husbands, boyfriends, and lovers.
|
Forming long lines, the men rise up and down on tiptoe, showing off their long, lithe bodies. The change expressions every few seconds, rolling their eyes and exposing their gleaming white teeth. The Wodaabe say, "It's through the strength of the eyes that marriages are made."
Beckwith and Fisher, Faces of Africa, 64) Watch this video of Beckwith and Fisher talking about their experience. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional ResourcesBrooklyn Museum: African Arts
Bwoom Masks at the Brooklyn Museum Read about the Nok heads thematic essay by Heilbrunn Timeline Nail figure -nkisi n'kondi on SmartHistory.This section of SmartHistory is divided by North, West, East, South, and Central Africa. Notecard Images |
Artwork List1. Conical tower and circular wall of Great Zimbabwe
2. Great Mosque of Djenne -Monday market at the Great Mosque 3. Wall plaque from Oba's palace -contextual photo of Oba of Benin 4. Sika dwa kofi (Golden stool) -contextual photo 5. Ndop (portrait of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul) -contextual photo 6. Power figure (Nkisi n'kondi) -additional photo 7. Female (Pwo) mask 8. Portrait mask (Mblo) -contextual photo 9. Bundu mask -contextual photo - Additional contextual photo #2 10. Ikenga (shrine figure) 11. Lukasa (memory board) -contextual photo 12. Aka elephant mask -contextual photo #1 - Additional contextual photo #2 13. Reliquary figure (byeri) 14. Veranda post of enthroned king and senior wife |