Term
|
Definition
Komo mask, wood, tusks, bristles, birdskull, organic material, 19th-20th c. by utilizing knowledge, the masqeurader is able to tap into the power of the mask. The Komo mask essentially functions as a wooden support for many different kinds of power subtances and is related to the forces of darkness, danger, and the wilderness. (nyama is the bird skull, mud/blood mixture and horns, the wooden frame is merely the vehicle.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Bamana Boli Figure, wood, fiber, ritual substances, 19th-20th c., Komo Society. - secret, dangerous, and full of nyama.
- kept in secluded sanctuaries, activated by the leader of Komo only in times of special need.
- power increases w/ age.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Hunter's Shirt, cloth, teeth, horns, leather, tin amulets, 20th c., Bamana (Mali). - Conveys heroism, enables a knowlegde of nature.
- Hunters are all male.
- Believed that hunters have access to the magic and mystery of the wilderness.
|
|
|
Term
| Colonial period in Africa |
|
Definition
Before 19th c. ISLAM was the most impoutant outside influence to pervade Africa. 15th c. Europeans first landed in Sub-Sahara Africa. Euro Governments drawn to Africa for resources By 1914 virtually all Africa was under colonial Rule 1945-1970: Due to nationalistic movements, colony after colony gained its independence. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Dominating language group of western Sudan; West Africa. (Language groups are broad groups—within them are smaller ethnic groups (with their own languages)—and within that, family groups (villages) with independent power, and beliefs.) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Bamana, which comes from Arabic word Bambara, meaning pagan, is the largest group in the Mande language family. - Women potters and (especially) male Blacksmiths have considerable ritual power.
- Blacksmiths=diviners, medicine men, amulet makers. Use nyama.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
West African Empire The Mali Empire had many profound cultural influences on West Africa allowing the spread of its language, laws and customs along the Niger River. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The energy of action. In terms of Masquerades: nyama is within mud/blood solutions and animal parts on the masks.
|
|
|
Term
| The Civilized World and the Wilderness |
|
Definition
The village can be seen as the realm of socialized human beings while the wilderness is regarded a the domain of the spirits. another distinctions is the association of women with the village and men with the wildernes....but the opposite can also be true. (I couldn't really find much on this, let me know if you know where i can find more info.) |
|
|
Term
| The Visible and Less-Visible Worlds |
|
Definition
Visible world refers to the human world Less-visible world refers to the spirit world (couldn't find much info, let me know if you find more) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
diviners practice seeing into the past, present and future and discovering mystical or hidden knowledge. (same thing, couldn't find info in our readings, so i looked in outside sources.) |
|
|
Term
| Secret Societies and Associations |
|
Definition
For Bamana: (ex. N'tomo, Komo, Nama, Kono, Chi Wara, Kore) - associations are institutions that control the political, social, and supernatural power in the community
- Function as main patrons for Bamana art.
- Nyama is underlying source of power controlled by thes institutions.
- use masks or other ritual objects in their own distinct styles.
Ideas behind Associations Secret Societies: Intiation, only few may know the secrtes and powers of the society--b/c they are dangerous. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (couldn't find this in readings) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Objects that funtion ritualisticly, i.e. protection, strength. Made by blacksmiths. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Is a high level institution open only to males, under leadership of a blacksmith.
- elders use their knowledge to tap into the power of the masks.
- Members are sworn to secrecy, speaking about it in public is dangerous.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
knowledge of the trees, of herbal medicine |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
recipes for mixing herbal medicines
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ritual involving the wearing of masks to represent mythical and symbolic beings through concealed human beings. Masquerades can happen on many differnet occasions for several different reasons: - funeral ceremonies
- asking for a good harvest
- initiation rituals
|
|
|
