This page is a record of an exhibit that took place in 1996. The individual links below will take you to the CURRENT VERSION of the pages that formed part of that exhibit. |
Reliquary Guardians
Protecting sacred relics (clan founders' skulls & certain bones) and
their living descendants with reliquary guardians is a strong tradition
of three peoples of Gabon; the Fang, Bakota and Mahongwe. Similar in function
and power, they differ widely in style.
The Fang create 3-dimensional figures, byeri, known for their
childlike proportions and features contrasted with tensed muscles and metal
all-seeing eyes. These figures were guardians of the enshrined relics of
important ancestors. Sitting on top of the containers, they were also consulted
for aid and protection. We include a wide variety of pieces, several on
their cylindrical bark boxes, plus some heads and fetish bundles.
FANG, RELIQUARY GUARDIAN FIGURE, Gabon
The Bakota guardians, mwete, are flat, more abstracted, with
their oval, concave faces sheathed in metal (brass or copper). Stylized
coiffures and occasional repousee work adorn the "legged head"
figures (A diamond shape below the neck is an abstracted body form.) which
gleamed at night to protect against evil. These figures were mounted on
containers holding relics of important clan ancestors, serving as guardians.
They were also questioned as oracles. We are exhibiting an impressive collection.
BAKOTA, RELIQUARY FIGURE, Gabon
The Mahongwe reliquaries, bwete, have a tapering shape topped
by a crest, are covered by horizontal brass bands or wires, were danced
with by new chiefs and dedicated to Bwitti, the spirit of the ancestors.The
Mahongwe are a subgroup of the Bakota, and, like them, used these figures
as guardians that were mounted on containers holding relics of important
clan ancestors.
The Reliquary Guardians Show is open Aug. 3 - Sept.30. To celebrate the
new show and welcome you, we are having a Mid-Show Reception, Sat. Sept.
7, from 10 - 2. Coming next: Drums and Shields (Oct. 3-Nov. 30), Janus (Two
faced) images (Dec. & Jan.)
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