Art and its Place in the Bambara Culture.
com/african_art/ethnographica_african_art_gallery. This website focused on the art of different social groups throughout Africa. I chose the link that lead to the art found in the Bambara culture because we've been reading about the Bambara in Dancing Skeletons. The art in the Bambara culture that this website explored was masks, statuettes, and everyday objects.
The site talks about four types of masks made and used in the Bambara culture. The first is used during dances and may be covered with cowrie shells and is associated with the N'tomo society. The second type, associated with the Komo society, is round with two antelope horns on the top and is used during dances and other ceremonies. The third is connected with the Nama society and is carved to look like a bird's head. Lastly, the fourth used by the Kore society symbolizes an animal head.
The site explains how Bambara statues or sculptures are used during annual ceremonies among the Guan society. The statues are removed from their sanctuaries by the elder members of the society. Two figures that have great significance are a maternity figure called Guandousou, and a male figure called Guantigui.
And finally, everyday art objects like Iron staffs and figures are used often in funeral and initiation ceremonies in the Gouan and Dyo societies. Also during initiation ceremonies dancers used wooden puppets.
I thought the site was very insightful into the roles that art plays in many different African societies.