African Art and Religion Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the work 'Sango' by Ben Enwonwu?

  • It portrays the Yoruba god Sango.
  • It depicts Sango holding a dancewand.
  • It utilizes a realistic style.
  • It employs abstract forms to depict religious imagery. (correct)

What is the significance of the crown worn by Sango in Enwonwu's 'Sango'?

  • It is a traditional crown worn by all Yoruba kings.
  • It is a modern invention created by Enwonwu to represent Sango's power.
  • It symbolizes Sango's position as a god.
  • It references early crowns found at Ife, a significant site in Yoruba art. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a source for understanding Sango's symbolic significance in Yoruba culture?

  • The book by Henry J. Drewal, et al., encompassing nine centuries of Yoruba art and thought.
  • The article by J.Omosade Awolalu, focusing on Yoruba sacrificial practices.
  • The book by William B. Fagg and John Pemberton, dedicated to Yoruba Sculpture. (correct)

What is the primary focus of Ben Enwonwu's artistic career?

<p>Creating contemporary art that reflects his Nigerian heritage and the traditional Yoruba culture. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Enwonwu's early training under a British artist in Nigeria?

<p>It exposed him to Western art techniques, which he later incorporated into his own distinct style. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the conical ibori in the Yoruba culture?

<p>It symbolizes the inner essence and life force of an individual. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the Yoruba concept of "ashe" transferred between beings?

<p>Through prayer and sacrifice. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the head-to-body proportion in Yoruba sculptures?

<p>It emphasizes the importance of the head and its role in determining one's fate. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Osanyin priests in Yoruba culture?

<p>To protect people from witches. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the "night people" in Yoruba beliefs?

<p>They can transform into animals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the beaded crowns worn by Yoruba rulers?

<p>They signify the ruler's connection to the inner head. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are sacrifices offered to the head in Yoruba culture?

<p>To honor the inner essence and life path of the individual. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of food offerings in Yoruba sacrifices?

<p>They are consecrated through prayer and incantation, becoming a sacred offering. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely outcome of an ile ori after a funeral?

<p>It is scattered on the deceased's grave. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common reason for witches to harm others in Yoruba beliefs?

<p>They are driven by malice and hatred for no particular reason. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do Osanyin priests typically counter the effects of witchcraft?

<p>They offer sacrifices to appease the witches and prevent further harm. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the iron staffs depicting birds used by Osanyin priests?

<p>They symbolize the witches that the priests must confront. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of sacrifice in Yoruba culture?

<p>Animal sacrifices, especially chickens and goats. (E)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the core belief behind the "ori inu" concept in Yoruba culture?

<p>The head is the seat of the soul and spiritual essence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common theme explored in Yoruba art?

<p>Love and romance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a key empowering force in Yoruba beliefs?

<p>Ashe (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "thunderbolts" found in Shango shrines?

<p>They are believed to be the physical manifestation of Shango's power. (A), They are believed to mark spots where Shango's lightning has struck. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the traditional belief about the impact of Shango priests visiting areas struck by lightning?

<p>They can demand offerings from the householder to appease Shango's wrath. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "laba Shango" worn by Shango priests?

<p>They symbolize the priest's connection to Shango and his power. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the "arugba Shango" differ from other Yoruba shrine figures?

<p>It is a large female figure that serves as a caryatid, supporting a bowl filled with thunderbolts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the "odo Shango" connects it to Shango's role as a thunder deity?

<p>Its shape resembles a mortar, symbolizing the thunderous sound created by pounding. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "oshe Shango" dancewands?

<p>They are used by priests to perform rituals that call upon Shango's power. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the "oshe Shango" with a thunderstone emerging from the head represent Shango's presence?

<p>It symbolizes that Shango has taken possession of an individual during trance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the doubled thunderstone on the "oshe Shango"?

<p>It may refer to the twins that Shango fathered. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "Ibeji" twin figures found in Shango shrines?

<p>They are symbols of fertility and abundance, associated with Shango's power. (C), They are associated with Shango's ability to generate twins. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do Shango priests engage in startling feats during trance performances?

<p>To demonstrate their connection to Shango and his power. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Shango priests plaiting their hair like women?

<p>It represents their willingness to sacrifice their masculinity for Shango’s service. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Shango's worship survive and spread outside of Africa?

<p>Through the slave trade, where enslaved Africans practiced their religion in secret. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Shango's worship adapt in Cuba and other parts of the Americas?

<p>It merged with Catholicism, adopting Christian saints and symbols into its practices. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the public sculptures erected in Brazil honoring Shango?

<p>They are a way for Brazilians to acknowledge and celebrate their African heritage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these figures are not primarily associated with the worship of Shango?

<p>Erinle (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a typical Shango object NOT described in the provided content?

<p>A carved figure of Eshu (C), A wooden figure depicting a warrior (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of most traditional African religions, according to the text?

<p>Communicating with ancestors and spirits for favor and forgiveness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a function of traditional African art?

<p>Preserving historical records and events (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the decline in traditional African art forms?

<p>The influence of Western colonialism and globalization (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the example of the Edo people and Osanobua illustrate?

<p>The syncretic nature of religious beliefs in some African communities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of traditional African art?

<p>Domestic and everyday objects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between traditional African religious beliefs and Christianity and Islam?

<p>The importance of ancestors and spirits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options is NOT a factor that contributes to the difficulty in identifying the original function of some traditional African art?

<p>The deliberate obscurity of meaning by artists (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common theme in the traditional African art discussed in the text?

<p>The reinforcement of social order and values (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Bwa masks according to the text?

<p>To honor ancestors and commemorate encounters with supernatural beings (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Bwa masks?

<p>They are always carved from wood and never from fiber (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the red color used in the Bwa masks?

<p>It symbolizes the dangers and power associated with the spirits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the zig-zag lines carved on the Bwa masks represent?

<p>The challenges and rewards of following the ancestors' path (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the checkerboard pattern on the Bwa masks?

<p>It symbolizes the journey from ignorance to wisdom (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main belief of the Yoruba people regarding the relationship between humans and the divine?

<p>Humans have a destiny determined at birth, but they can influence it through their actions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the “inner head” (ori inu) play in Yoruba belief?

<p>It is the seat of destiny and spirituality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Yoruba belief in cyclical lives imply?

<p>Humans are interconnected with their ancestors and future generations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of personal shrines in Yoruba religion?

<p>They are used to honor and appease the specific orisha associated with a person (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Yoruba belief system, how is the fate of an individual determined?

<p>It is a combination of inherited destiny and individual choices (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ibori in Yoruba tradition?

<p>A representation of the inner head and its destiny (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the cowries used in the ibori and ile ori?

<p>They are symbols of wealth and prosperity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the Bwa and Yoruba mask traditions illustrate the concept of art and religion’s relationship?

<p>They show how religious beliefs influence artistic creation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between the Bwa and Yoruba mask traditions?

<p>Bwa masks primarily honor nature spirits, while Yoruba masks focus on deities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "X" form carved on some examples of Bwa masks?

<p>It represents a traditional form of scarification (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can one best characterize the "orisha" in Yoruba religion?

<p>They are powerful deities associated with natural forces (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following deities is associated with farming and childbirth?

<p>Obienmwen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the worship of Ogiuwu?

<p>It was forbidden by the British during their invasion in 1897. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of cowrie shells in the worship of Olokun?

<p>They were used as currency in the region before colonization. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the decline in Olokun's participation among young girls?

<p>The rise of Christianity, particularly Pentecostalism. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Ijo masquerades?

<p>They always have a human form. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do social clubs in some non-Ijo areas use the water spirit masquerades?

<p>They use them for social gatherings and celebrations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Do in the Bwa religion?

<p>He is the intermediary between humans and the bush, representing the life force. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the Do masquerades made of?

<p>Natural materials from the bush. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the Bwa wooden masks different from the Do masquerades?

<p>They represent nature deities instead of gods. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it significant that both the Do masquerade and the wooden masks are found in Bwa culture?

<p>It shows how Bwa culture is adaptable and open to incorporating influences from other cultures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between the Bwa wooden masks and the Do worshippers?

<p>They are distinct and sometimes in conflict. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the use of kaolin chalk in Olokun altars?

<p>It is a symbol of joy, peace, and purity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the masquerades enter the Ijo village?

<p>They enter from the shores. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following African groups are mentioned in the text as adopting elements of the Ijo water spirit masquerades?

<p>Itsekiri, Igbo, Urhobo, and riverine Yoruba (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the Bwa Do masquerades and the Bwa wooden masks?

<p>The spiritual beings they represent. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Bieni masquerade's rapid quivering?

<p>It is meant to impress and awe the viewers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Gelede festival's use of teenage boys as performers relate to the larger concerns of the Yoruba community?

<p>The boys' impersonation of women, particularly their movements, serves to appease the witches. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Efe masquerade in the Gelede festival?

<p>The Efe masquerade's satirical verses are a reminder of community values and norms. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Gelede masquerade address the fear of witches 'closing the womb'?

<p>The performances seek to appease the witches by providing them with entertainment and amusement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the carved breasts sometimes added to the female performers' costumes in the Gelede festival?

<p>It is a way to exaggerate the feminine form and make the imitation more humorous. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the divination employed at the start of the Gelede festival?

<p>To select a date for the performances that is favorable to the community's well-being. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Gelede masquerade's representation of the Great Mother?

<p>She may be incarnated by a spirit medium chosen through divinatory practices. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Gelede masquerade distinguish its male performers from the female performers?

<p>The male performers use more vigorous stamping movements, highlighting their strength and power. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the inclusion of elaborate headpieces in the Gelede masquerade?

<p>The headpieces represent the various characters and concepts embodied in the performance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the inclusion of puppets in the Gelede masquerade in the Benin Republic?

<p>Puppets allow for the depiction of characters that cannot be physically embodied. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on Yoruba family names like Ogunremi or Fagboye, what can we infer about the importance of orisha worship in traditional Yoruba society?

<p>Orisha worship played a significant role in defining family identity and lineage. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the priestess or priest play in the initiation into an orisha cult?

<p>They provide the initiate with the knowledge and rituals necessary to communicate with the orisha. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the initiation ceremony allow the orisha to 'ride' the initiate?

<p>The initiate becomes a temporary vessel for the orisha, allowing its voice and presence to be felt. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the orisha initiate's dance during the possession ceremony?

<p>The dance represents the specific movements and rhythms associated with that particular orisha. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the orisha initiates' attire different from that of priests and priestesses during orisha festivals?

<p>Initiates wear simple, utilitarian clothing, while priests and priestesses wear elaborate robes and ornaments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can we infer from the historical presence of various orisha temples scattered throughout Yoruba towns?

<p>Orisha worship was a deeply integrated part of everyday life for the Yoruba people. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Secular African Art

Art that reflects status, age, or ethnic identity, not tied to religion.

Traditional Religion in Africa

A diverse set of beliefs centered around a High God, ancestors, and spirits.

Masquerade Functions

Community celebrations often including satire to reinforce values.

Impact of Christianity and Islam

These religions have increasingly attracted followers, changing traditional practices.

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Artistic Objects Functions

Can serve personal, family, or communal purposes, sometimes unclear.

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Edo Beliefs

Belief in a High God, Osanobua, with worship focused on his children.

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Depletion of Traditional Art

Decline in traditional art forms due to the rise of adopted religions.

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Cultural Straddling

Some individuals blend traditional and adopted religions in their lives.

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Obienmwen

The eldest deity associated with farming and childbirth.

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Ogiuwu

The youngest deity known as the Lord of Death, suppressed by the British.

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Olokun

Middle child deity of the High God, associated with the sea and wealth.

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Olokun Altars

Small altars for worshipping Olokun to ensure fertility and wealth.

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Kaolin Chalk

A substance symbolizing joy, peace, and purity in Edo culture.

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Cowrie Shells

Pre-colonial currency used in Olokun altars.

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Christian Influence

The impact of Christianity causing a decline in traditional worship.

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Ijo Masquerades

Ceremonial performances honoring water spirits, tied to coastal living.

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Do Masquerade

Represents the life force and mediates between people and nature.

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Bwa People

Ethnic group practicing traditional religion in Burkina Faso.

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Nature God

The deity Do, overseeing successful farming and nature.

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Ephemeral Masks

Masks created for performance, destroyed afterward, symbolic of life cycles.

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Wooden Masks

Recent adoption by Bwa from neighbors, representing protective spirits.

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Nature Spirits

Protective entities represented by wooden masks, intertwined with family.

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Cultural Identity

Maintaining traditional worship tied to cultural heritage despite changes.

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Ben Enwonwu

A prominent Nigerian sculptor known for his contemporary art.

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Sango

A work depicting the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning.

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Ife crowns

Early crowns that symbolize kingship in Yoruba culture.

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Contemporary art training

Ben Enwonwu's education involved multiple art schools and universities.

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Major commissions

Notable artworks created for significant figures like Queen Elizabeth.

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Bwa monoxyl masks

Masks representing supernatural beings, often linked to ancestors.

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Ile Ori

The personal shrine or container for one's head, used in Yoruba culture.

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Ashe

The empowering force in Yoruba religion, present in life and certain objects.

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Symbolic colors in masks

Red, black, and white colors used in mask designs, each with meanings.

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Ibori

An object containing the essence of a person's prayers and divinations, placed in ile ori.

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Zig-zag lines

Represent the difficult path of following ancestors in masks.

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Ori Inu

The inner head, significant in Yoruba art and spirituality.

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Checkerboard symbol

Indicates that knowledge comes with age; shows wisdom differences.

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Yoruba Sacrifice

Offering made to honor ancestors, deities, or during divination.

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Orisha

Deities in Yoruba religion, associated with nature and human traits.

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Animal Sacrifice

Killing an animal as part of a ritual, often shared in social meals.

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Yoruba Art Themes

Common motifs in Yoruba art that reflect sacrifice and transformation.

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Ibori

Personal shrines in Yoruba culture to honor one's inner head.

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Transformation in Yoruba Beliefs

The ability to change one's form, often attributed to powerful beings.

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Yoruba cyclical life

The belief in living, dying, and being reborn in families.

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Outer head (ori ode)

Visible part of the head that recognizes a person's identity.

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Witches in Yoruba Culture

Individuals believed to harm others through supernatural abilities.

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Inner head (ori inu)

Invisible part of the head tied to destiny and spirituality.

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Osanyin

The orisha of healing and forest medicines in Yoruba belief.

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Sacrifice in Yoruba belief

Action believed to enhance potential life outcomes and destinies.

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Divination in Yoruba

A spiritual practice for gaining insight and guidance.

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Chevrons in masks

Design elements referencing sacred serpents.

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Prominence of the Head

In Yoruba sculptures, the head is often more pronounced than the body.

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Royal Beaded Crowns

Crowns that signify royal status, often featuring conical shapes.

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Gelede masquerade

A Yoruba art form celebrating feminine virtues and social harmony.

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Kola Nut Sacrifice

A simple offering typical in Yoruba rituals.

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Significance of dance in rituals

Dances require athleticism and convey spiritual meaning.

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High God (Oludumare)

The principal deity in Yoruba religion, somewhat detached from humanity.

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Role of Witches

Witches in the community are feared for their ability to impede procreation, referred to as 'closing the womb.'

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Divination in Gelede

Divination is used to choose an auspicious date for the Gelede performance.

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Efe Masquerade

The Efe is an appealing part of the Gelede festival featuring satirical verses.

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Representation of Great Mother

The festival includes representations of the Great Mother, sometimes humorous or transformative in nature.

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Costumes in Gelede

Teenage boys wear costumes that imitate women but are designed to highlight their movements.

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Imitation of Women

Male performers adopt women's dancing styles emphasizing hip and shoulder movements.

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Market Women Motifs

Characters often resemble market women carrying food for sale, emphasizing the beauty and labor of women.

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Orisha Worship

Involves many deities, but families may primarily relate to a specific orisha.

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Priesthood and Shrines

Each orisha has a distinct priesthood and shrine for worship.

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Initiation Process

Involves a call from an orisha, often after illness, demanding initiation to serve.

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Transcendent Dance

The initiate dances under trance, allowing the orisha to possess them temporarily.

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Ceremony Attire

Initiates wear simple attire, while priests or priestesses might wear elaborate garments during festivals.

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Historical Worship Practices

In the past, worship of orishas was common in various temples throughout towns.

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Community Interaction

During ceremonies, initiates serve as links for personal communion with the orisha.

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Yoruba Shrines

Structures arranged around a courtyard for worship, where sacred objects are stored.

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Laba Shango

Appliqued leather bags hanging from the shrine's lintel, used by Shango priests.

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Thunderbolts

Prehistoric stone axe-heads marking spots struck by Shango's lightning.

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Relief-Carved Door

The ornate door on Shango shrines, resembling palace doors.

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Arugba Shango

A large female figure that supports a bowl holding thunderbolts in the shrine.

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Odo Shango

An overturned mortar used as Shango's throne, creating thunderous sounds.

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Oshe Shango

Dancewands used by priests during trance ceremonies, returned when not in use.

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Ibeji Figures

Twin figures often retired to Shango's altars, associated with twins.

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Cultural Syncretism

The blending of Yoruba practices with Catholicism in the Americas.

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Public Sculptures

Sculptures honoring Yoruba deities that are prominent in cities like Brazil.

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SShrine Objects

Iconographic items like thunderstones indicating Shango's presence during rituals.

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Priestly Feats

Astonishing acts performed by Shango priests, showcasing divine empowerment.

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Decline of Traditional Religion

The decrease in followers of Yoruba traditional practices due to Christian and Islamic influence.

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Study Notes

African Art and Religion

  • Much traditional African art is secular, serving purposes like personal adornment, domestic use, and community entertainment. Some art, however, is clearly religious.
  • Traditional religions often center on a distant High God, with focus instead on ancestors and spirits/deities.
  • Artistic objects in traditional religions can be personal, family-owned, or community-based.
  • Modern influences like Christianity and Islam are reshaping traditional religions, leading to a decline in associated art forms in some areas.

Benin Kingdom (Nigeria)

  • The Edo people of the Benin Kingdom have a High God (Osanobua), but worship focuses primarily on his children.
  • Obienmwen, the eldest, is connected to farming and childbirth.
  • Ogiuwu, the youngest, is the Lord of Death and is largely ignored due to historical suppression.
  • Olokun, the middle child and sea/wealth deity, remains important, with altars common amongst Edo people.

Ijo People (Nigeria)

  • The Ijo culture, centered in the Niger Delta, is focused on water spirits, evident in masquerades.
  • Masquerades represent these water spirits, sometimes in abstract forms; Ijo life revolves around water-based activities.
  • In areas with prominent Christian influence, Ijo masquerades have sometimes transitioned to social clubs, losing their spiritual connection.

Bwa People (Burkina Faso)

  • The Bwa practice traditional religion centered on a High God (Difini/Dobweni) and his son, Do, represented by a masquerade (bieni).
  • Do, as a Nature god, is important for successful farming and mediates between man and the bush.
  • The Bwa also have wooden masks representing protective nature spirits. These masks are adopted from neighboring groups and are family-owned.

Yoruba Religion and Art

  • Yoruba religion features a High God (Oludumare) and a pantheon of deities (orisha).
  • Orí (inner head) is crucial; a belief in its importance impacts art.
  • Personal shrines (ibori) honor the inner head; ibori are visualized as a visual representation of a diviner's mark.
  • Sacrifices are made for good fortune, health, and other purposes; there is an important concept of transformation in Yoruba beliefs. These can be personal or from consultation results.
  • Gelede, a secular masquerade, is significant for both entertainment and appeasing witches.
  • Yoruba traditions often incorporate sacrifice in many art forms like figures of women holding chickens
  • Transformation is a key aspect of Yoruba beliefs, often involving individuals with powerful supernatural abilities (witches). Witches were often women.
  • Orisha worship includes diverse spiritual practices like initiation.
  • Initiation involves a trance state, allowing devotees to enter personal communion with the orisha; priests and priestesses participate in rituals.
  • Orìṣà shrines are structured, usually in a courtyard arrangement, with specific objects placed for each orisha.

Yoruba Art

  • Yoruba art prioritizes the head, which is often shown larger than the body.
  • Conical hairstyles are another representation of the importance of the inner head.
  • Shango, the deity of thunder and lightning, has a significant presence in Yoruba art; thunderstones are a key symbolic identity.
  • Dancewands, used by priests and initiates, often reflect the energy of lightning.
  • Ibeji twin figures have a prominent place amongst the art of Shango.

Orisha Worship Outside Yorubaland

  • Shango worship, like other Yoruba deities, experienced new homes and adaptations in the Americas through the slave trade, adapting into various cultural contexts

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