A new exhibition exploring the long-held traditional beliefs and cultural practices of contemporary West African society opens at the Immigration Museum on 12 November 2010.
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit features a collection of objects, photographs and film footage amassed by Joel A. and Patricia H. Vanderburg between 1964 and 1975 that provides a window into the life of 28 different contemporary West African cultures, primarily located in Nigeria and Ghana. The exhibition explores the diversity of these cultural groups and the ways in which their identity and creativity is expressed through cultural practices rooted in long-held traditions and beliefs.
“This fascinating collection is very representative of how communities, particularly in rural areas, live in West Africa today”, says Dr David Dorward, former Director of the African Research Institute, La Trobe University. “The objects in this exhibition, including beautifully decorative cloth and jewellery, masks and intricately carved figures, reflect a rich cultural past and traditional belief systems that are still relevant and actively maintained within many cultural groups”.
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit encompasses six major themes – kingship and authority, fertility, pattern and adornment, divination, masks and masquerades, and trade – which reflect the diversity and dynamism of West African cultures.
“With more than 9,500 West African born people now living in Australia, West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit presents a very exciting opportunity for the Immigration Museum to showcase the wonderful cultural traditions of a relatively new and growing part of our community”, said Padmini Sebastian, Immigration Museum Manager.
Highlights of the West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit exhibition include:
Cowrie shells and manillas. Cowrie shells were used for small transactions, such as in bush markets to buy food. Manillas are brass bracelets, and were manufactured in England in the 17th and 18th centuries for the buying of slaves in West Africa.
Ere ibeji figures. These intricately carved wooden figures are made following the death of a twin, and the hair styles, scarification and general body features can often identify the town where they come from. The ere ibeji figures on display are from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, who have the highest rate of twin births in the world.
Initiation mask. This elaborate mask from Nigeria is worn like a helmet and has a colourful plant fibre collar symbolising aggression. Masks and masquerades are a key feature of West African culture and are often worn to make social commentary and provide entertainment, to celebrate a harvest or to mark the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Edan Ogboni. The Ogboni society are an intensely secret society of the Yoruba people of Nigeria who wear these small Edan Ogboni brass figures around the neck to represent a member’s social standing and the authority of the group. The Edan Ogboni figures are both male and female, representing the unity of both genders.
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit is an Otago Museum exhibition from Dunedin, New Zealand.
West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit
12 November 2010 to 29 May 2011
Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Adults $8, children and concession FREE