West Africa

Displaying 651 - 673 of 673
Catalog # Name Description
651 2022-27-10 Talking Drum Small, West African talking drum, used to imitate the tone and rhythm of human speech and relay messages over long distance. The body is hourglass shaped and carved from a single piece of wood, it is completely hollow through the middle and open on each side, where the drum heads are meant to be stretched. One of the drum heads and the material used to stretch it and hold it in place are completely missing and the other is damaged to the point of being unusable; the remaining drum head is made from an animal hide parchment and the ring of material meant to be holding it in place is made up of a blue fabric covered with animal hide. Animal hide string is woven through holes in the wood around the top and bottom of the drum's body as well as through the cloth and animal hide ring around the remaining head, creating a sort of cage around the drum base; another animal hide string is tied around the middle of the "cage", when the drum was functional this string could be loosened or tightened to change the tuning of the drum. A strip of black fabric is tied around the animal hide string just below the remaining drum head, this was likely used for carrying and hanging the instrument.
652 2022-27-12 Xylophone Portable/wearable African xylophone consisting of 2 main parts, the base (2022-27-12A), and the detached keys (2022-27-12B). The frame of 2022-27-12A is a large, oval ring made from a curved stick, a "shelf" of wood is attached to the frame near the center by leather strips which loop through holes in the wood and tie around the stick. 7 cow horns of various sizes are attached to the wooden "shelf" through a combination of a black substance (possibly natural rubber), a stick running across the tops of the horns, leather strips woven around each horn and the stick running over them, and some metal wire; the horns themselves are each hollow and have more of the black substance wrapped around their tips, each horn also has a unique pattern of colored plastic thread wrapped around them, near the tips, plastic thread colors include clear, red/pink, green, and blue. A strip of white cloth has been tied around the area where the wooden "shelf" meets the frame on both sides, this is most likely meant to be used to wear the instrument. There are some items attached to the frame in various locations; a piece of animal hide is wrapped around the top; strips of orange leather thread are wrapped around the frame at 4 different locations, 1 on either side above the "shelf" and 1 on either side below the "shelf"; and a metal ring with a pointed metal hook attached to it which can be moved around the frame below the "shelf". The keyboard (2022-27-12B) consists of 7 wooden keys held together by two strips of orange leather cord which run parallel to one another and wrap around either end of each piece. All 7 pieces are about the same length, but differ in width and thickness; the top of each piece is smooth while the bottoms are left rougher and cut thinner in the middle. The width and thickness of each piece determines the note it plays and the middle of each piece is strategically carved to tune each piece to a specific scale.
653 2022-27-18 Drumstick Hooked drumstick used for playing the Hausa Kalunga, or Talking Drum. Made from a single piece of wood that curves near the top with the end meant to beat the drum carved into a flat circle. The bottom of this drumstick has been wrapped in leather and handsewn to form a handle; a thin strip of leather has been strung through the bottom of this handle and looped through itself, forming a tag; a piece of white leather has been wrapped around the top of the handle, either for decoration or to hold it in place.
654 2022-27-19 Talking Drum West African talking drum, used to imitate the tone and rhythm of human speech and relay messages over long distances. The body of this drum is carved from a single piece of wood which has been carved into an hourglass shape and hollowed out, there is some decorative lines carved into the body of the drum, circling the thinner center of the hourglass just before it flares out on either end. Over each end of the hourglass-shaped body white hide has been stretched to create two drum heads (although only one would have been played). A thick ring of tan leather has been stitched around each drum head, thick cords have been strung between these two leather rings and tied tight, partially obscuring the body of the drum, (it is squeezing these chords that shifts the tone of the drum, allowing it to "talk"); a fabric handle/strap has also been strung between the two leather rings. There is an unknown substance inside of the drum, (possibly seeds, beads, or small stones), which rattle when the drum is moved or played.
655 2022-27-21 Algaita Body portion of a wooden algaita, a West African double reed wind instrument. The body is carved from a single piece of wood carved into a hollow cylinder which curves out into a wider bell-shape on one end; it is open on either end. The thinner "neck" portion of the body is approximately 13 cm long, is wrapped in hide and has three evenly sized and spaced holes, used to control the note when instrument is being played. The flared, bell-shaped portion of the body is uncovered and has a small notch near the bottom. The reed/mouthpipe of this algaita are missing.
656 2022-27-40 Talking Drum West African talking drum, used to imitate the tone and rhythm of human speech and relay messages over long distances. The body of this drum is made from a single piece of wood which has been carved into an hourglass shape and hollowed out. Animal hide has been stretched over each end of the hourglass-shaped body, creating two drum heads (although only one would have been played). A thick ring of black leather has been stitched around each drum head, thick cords made from white leather have been strung between the two leather rings and tied tight, partially obscuring the body of the drum, these cords serve the dual purpose of holding the drum heads tight and changing the tone of the drum when squeezed, allowing it to "talk". Around the drum there are two decorative wraps made from hide and a green, blue, purple, and white patterned fabric, these wraps are held on by black leather cords which are knotted through holes on either side of the hide; on these wraps there are three brass bells, two on one panel, one on the other, although loose leather threads and holes in the hide suggest there was likely more at one point. There is a wide leather strap attached by leather strips to the top and bottom of the drum, on this strap is a strip of green, purple, and gold striped metallic fabric.
657 2022-27-6 Gourd Shaker Gourd shaker from Guinea, known as a Wassakhoumba in the Soussou language. Shaker consists of a curved stick with 6 disks made from dried  and sliced calabash gourd. Each calabash slice has a hole through the center through which the smaller, curved portion of the stick has been inserted. A wooden pin has been inserted into a hole at the end of the curved portion of the stick in order to keep the disks in place, the thickness of the stick prevents them from moving too far in the other direction. The calabash disk closest to the curve of the stick has four cowrie shells attached via string through four small holes in the gourd.
658 2022-27-76 Gourd Shaker African gourd shaker, or Shekere. The base of the instrument is made from a dried, hollow gourd which has three holes, two small, round ones on either side of the neck near the stem, and one large, square one on the bottom. The round, bottom of the gourd is covered in a netting made from white thread with a blue thread ring near the neck; there are several seeds threaded into the net. Sticker on the neck of the gourd provides some information on the instrument, but portions of it are illegible.
659 2022-29-20 Ceremonial Spoon Large ceremonial, figurative spoons known as wakemia are unique to the Dan people and are used during feasts, in which women distributed rice to the audience. Carved from a single piece of wood, the scoop represents the head, the curved torso with two grooves on the front is the handle, and the stout squatting legs support the spoon. The back of the scoop has two parallel raised lines of alternative ridges. The ankles have ornamental rings and the genitalia indicate it is male. 2022-29-20 (Ceremonial Spoon) image
660 2022-29-21 Figure Among the Yoruba, twin births are common and believed to be ritually significant. When a twin dies a wooden figure known as an Ibeji is created as the receptacle for the deceased spirit. Carved of a single piece of wood, standing with arms at the sides, ornamented with a metal ring, short squat legs on a base, and decorated with a cowrie shell garment. A stylized, pointed coiffure has a central opening. Large almond shaped eyes, flared nose, and large lips make up the face. 2022-29-21 (Figure) image
661 2022-29-8 Mask Helmet masks such as this example are known as lipiko and are used primarily during the mapiko dance, an initiation ritual for young boys and girls reaching adulthood. Each lipiko mask are individual representations. Sometimes considered to be portrait masks. This mask does not have the exaggerated lips or raised scarification marking on the face. It is naturalistic in its approach with normal shaped human features, slightly open mouth exposing top row of teeth. Stylized, raised coiffure. 2022-29-8 (Mask) image
662 2022-29-9 Mask This helmet mask, known as lipiko, has exaggerated facial features, with large open lips, rounded flared nose, wide open eyes, painted white with black pupils. There is an applied hair ring around the head and a carved top, possibly representing a hat. Hair loss is common on these mask due to it being attached with impermanent bees wax. 2022-29-9 (Mask) image
663 L1968.10.0008JK Carving Old Pa bust, polished. L1968.10.0008JK (Carving) image
664 L1968.10.0010JK Skirt Hand tie-dyed. One piece, purple or dark blue garet cloth. Color: BL
665 L1968.10.0011JK Mask Red polychrome mask with cut out eye holes. The entirety of the face is painted red, with black paint for eyebrows and the detail of the lips. There is center part down the center of the top of the head, on a white background with black dotted detail. Around the edge of the mask are multiple box nails to hold raffia headdress. L1968.10.0011JK (Mask) image
666 L1968.10.0013JK Textile Color: TN,WH,BK
667 L1968.10.0015JK Mask Orange-colored mask. Elaborate hair style, painted black, with red facial markings or tattoos. There is a hole through the top and bottom, for costume attachment. L1968.10.0015JK (Mask) image
668 L1968.10.12JK Ring Center square placed in diamond position. 3 silver raised dots are on each side of the square. L1968.10.12JK (Ring) image
669 L1968.10.1JK Musket, Percussion Flintlock percussion musket collected from Sierra Leone, West Africa in 1967. Percussion pistols first appeared in 1820 and were very popular due to having a reliable and easy to use ignition method. The gun is a combination of different parts including a grip that matches dueling pistols from around the 1830s. The gun also includes a leather strap and a long rounded barrel that is made from aircraft aluminum. The partially homemade nature of the gun makes it non functional, and the actual use and origins of the main part remain unknown.  L1968.10.1JK (Musket, Percussion) image
670 L1968.10.4JK Textile Piece of garet cloth.
671 L1968.10.5JK Sword Cast metal sword with handle. The length of the sword is slightly curved and attaches to the top of the wooden handle. The handle has horizontal stripes on the grip and a "s" shaped piece of metal attaching the top of the handle to the bottom. Attached to the bottom of the handle is a round piece of aluminum. L1968.10.5JK (Sword) image
672 L1968.10.7JK Drum Bunda society drum. The head is made out of animal skin and the exterior is decorated with braided rope vertically tied around the circumference of the drum. There is thinner braided rope around the center of the drum. L1968.10.7JK (Drum) image
673 UNIM1986.14.1980.19.9 Purse Envelope style purse with 6 1/4" deep flap. Leather divider inside to make 2 compartments. 34 1/2" long braided thong handle attaches to 2 leather loops on top of purse. Edges of purse bound & sewn. Front of purse & flap are scored in X design. UNIM1986.14.1980.19.9 (Purse) image