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Page 15
May 4, 1978
Maroon Tiger
ANANG IBIBIO MASQUERADE HEAD
DRESS (Lower Cross River region),
“Mammy Wata,” wood.
Zaire featured in
African
The Art from Zaire: 100
Works from Atlanta Collec
tions, an exhibition drawn
from the permanent collection
and from local lenders, con
tinues on view through May.
Fetishes from the
southwestern areas represent
the Teke, Yanzi, Suku, and
Yaka peoples. These figures
are usually carved with a
receptacle where the materials
containing the magic power
are placed. This differs from
the approach of the Songye,
Hemba, and Luba people in the
southeastern region, who at
tach magical materials to the
exterior of the figures.
Circumcision masks, used in
initiation ceremonies, are dis
played in four cases. The
kifwebe (masks) of the
Songye and Luba are regarded
as the images which in
fluenced Picasso, Klee, and
Derain, and had a decisive im
pact on modern art. Masks
from the southeastern
regions—the work of the
Pende, Salampasu, Tshokwe,
and Holo groups—are diverse
in style but show geographical
Gallery
and ritual ties. The Suku and
Yaka masks show a more fan
ciful, theatrical approach, and
are adorned with raffia cos
tuming.
Utilitarian costumes and
masks of the Kuba are grouped
to show their elaborate design
and ornamentation. Kuba
artists use strong geometric
patterns in their carving and
in the application of beading
and cowrie shells.
Ceremonial weapons,
musical instruments, stools,
staffs and fly whisks are
grouped according to use. Here
too, within the limits of use-
governed similarity, the skill
and imagination of the in
dividual artist has produced
vivid and fascinating
diversity.
This exhibition was
coordinated by Kathleen R.
Summers and William Arnett.
The Art from Zaire: 100
Works from Atlanta Collec
tions is the second exhibition
to be installed in the Museum’s
African Gallery.
Three entertainment
Rivers
of _
Nigeria
BOKI DANCE CREST (Upper Cross River
region), leather on wood.
Three Rivers of Nigeria,
an exhibition of 260 masks,
figures, and other ritual ob
jects from the collection of
William and Robert Arnett of
Atlanta, continues on view in
the New Gallery, third floor,
through May. There is no ad
mission charge.
The exhibition focuses on
the art of southeastern Nigeria
in the area of three rivers: the
lower Niger, the Cross, and the
Benue. Some 27 groups are
represented in this diverse
collection of traditional
African art. Carving styles
range from the extremely
abstract to relatively
naturalistic, and the works
portray human figures, spirits,
animals, and powers.
In the lower Niger
region—as elsewhere in
Nigeria and Africa—the social
fabric is dominated by secret
societies, and much of the art is
created for use in ceremonies
and masquerade
performances. Three Rivers
of Nigeria includes a variety
of janus-faced masks, head
crests, and helmet masks of
the Ibo, the largest group in thfe
area. The exhibition also dis
plays many examples of Ibo
divination objects and shrine
figures representing ancestors
and culture heroes.
The water spirit cult rituals
of the Ekine society occur in
the swampy Delta region of the
lower Niger, and masks and
figures from the people of this
region—primarily the Ijo and
the Urhobo—are also on view.
The Cross River
peoples—the Ibibio and the
Ejagham (Ekoi)—express
philosophical values in their
art. The concept of duality
holds a special fascination and
is imaged in two-faced (janus)
masks and in the secret society
masquerades which use masks
of mfon ekpo (good spirits)
and idiok ekpo (bad spirits).
Three Rivers of Nigeria
contains several masks of both
types.
In the upper and middle
Benue River region, the main
ritual devices are figures
rather than masks. The
peoples of this area—the
Mumuye, Chamba, and
Tiv—employ a wide stylistic
range in sculpture: abstract in
the upper Benue, more
naturalistic in the middle and
lower regions.
A fully-illustrated catalogue,
with an introduction by Dr.
Roy Sieber and essays by
William Arnett and Dr.
Marcilene Wittmer, is
available for purchase. Three
Rivers of Nigeria, on view
through June 25, is supported
by a grant from the City of
Atlanta’s Bureau of Cultural
and International Affairs.
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