54:
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through initiation—a process of transitioning from a child to an adult member of society—are grouped together in age grades. During ceremonies, they adorn and praise the masks that are being performed as a group. It is also important to note that these mask performances are not gender specific. Women are very much a part of these events just as much as their male counterparts.
416:
423:(USA). This diminutive mask represents Luruya, an ancestor who was small in stature yet revered because he could communicate with animals. The crescent above the a panel with crossed lines, and a red horn above a circular face are characteristic of Bwa plank masks. The lines represent forehead scarification
407:
Decoration is subject to change, but it mostly comes down to zigzags, squares, and circles. The Bwa also make horizontal and heterogenous masks. Heterogenous masks have an ovoid head with round and/or diamond eyes. Sometimes, the artist will choose to add on designs such as crescents or human figures.
349:
The creator deity of the Bwa is known as Wuro, a god who designed the earth with the intention of establishing balance. Wuro was said to be hurt by a human, and in return, he decided to send his eldest son Dwo to act as the communication line between him and the people. Wuro had three sons: Dwo, the
472:
Blacksmiths are also known to make utensils and body adornments for their people. These pieces, much like the masks, tend to represent animals and their attributes associated with them. For example, a blacksmith may use a hyena to show stupidity or a bush cow to symbolize strength. The most common
378:
While the Bwa are famous for their masks, it is the purpose behind the pieces that provides the real significance. Using these masks, along with scepters and diverse body adornments, the Bwa will dance and perform these items in representation of different spirits. Those Bwa members who have gone
441:
This is a result of their adoption of Nuna religion and their traditions of using wooden masks. The religion associated with wooden masks is focused on the spirit Lanle, whose power is manifested through the wooden masks. Nwantantay can also be made of polychrome by the blacksmiths. Built in
406:
The Bwa masks are usually black and white; additional colors are subject to individual carvers and their styles. Animal depictions are a common attribute of the works. Plank Masks are the most known style of masks for this society. they are vertically shaped and attached to a disk-like base.
226:. Although the two groups share religion and culture, they are ethnically distinct. The confusion led to alternative names for the Bwa including Bobo Oule, or Eastern Bobo. In Jula, Bobo Oule means "Red Bobo". This distinguishes the Bwa from the Bobo who are called the "Black Bobo".
138:. This society has an approximate population of over 300,000 persons. The Bwa people live in a number of individualized communities. They have no central government, and rely on their community standards. They are most known for their scarification and elaborate plank masks.
481:
Flutes are used daily. They are usually played in sets of 5 to 9 pieces. By playing short diverse patterns in an interlocking form, the musicians tell a story. It is a form of communication—reproducing the speech of tonal languages. They are commonly accompanied by dances.
387:
The Bwa use various divination sculptures and carvings to carry out significant ceremonies and practices. While sculpted figures are a rare art of the Bwa's, the pieces would be used for events such as divination ceremonies, fertility rituals, and offered sacrifices.
159:. The end of the 19th century brought French mercenaries who used the Fulani to help control the area. The Bwa traditions of storing crops for use in lean years were undermined by the crippling taxation systems of the French and they suffered further from
178:
customs in attempt to please the Nuna God. Obliging, the Nuna taught the Bwa some of their customs and practices. From this, the Bwa purchased the rights to use, wear, and carve wooden masks, their costumes, and the songs and dances that go with them.
442:
horizontal shapes, these masks can represent different animals and have specific designs. For example, a butterfly mask would have concentric circles, while a hawk mask would have a plain white surface. these masks are worn for female entertainment.
150:
empire who made the Bwa pay taxes. The places left unconquered were raided by the Bamana, which led to a weakening of the Bwa social and political systems. In the 19th century, the Bamana declined and the area was dominated by the
362:
Nuna practices still hold firm in the Bwa culture. In relation, there is a group called the Cult of Do (or Dwo). They are led by the village's eldest male member, the Labie (also known as the earth priest.)
263:
has been a constant way of life for the Bwa. It is their primary source of income with their most successful crop being cotton. Besides cotton, though, the Bwa are known to harvest certain grains such as
296:
in the Bwa society work mostly with bronze to craft masks, figures, utensils, and jewelry. These works can be bought and sold, used for personal use, and/or are utilized during rituals.
1079:
Traditional
Sculpture from Upper Volta: an Exhibition of Objects from New York Museums and Private Collections: the African-American Institute, October 24, 1978-March 24, 1979
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is the main religious belief practiced by the Bwa. In fact, the art work that the Bwa are known for is primarily used for animist practices—specifically that of Nuna origin.
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god of rebirth, Soxo, the god of the wilderness, and Kwere, the lightning god. Two and his significance is heavily depicted in the Boni Bwa's ceremonial leaf masks.
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is integral to the Bwa's traditional ceremonies and rituals. While they do use drums, the Bwa are known to craft and play flutes carved from wood.
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Luruya mask with abstract design of geometric patterns, all of which are symbolic; 19th-20th centuries; painted wood and fibre; height: 81.3 cm;
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depictions are of the double chameleon and the hornbill. The chameleon would be mostly used by women who want to have children but cannot.
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Bwa villages are autonomous and they do not recognise any outside political authority. They are led by a council of male
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These leaf masks frequently represent Dwo in religious ceremonies. The masks also represent the bush spirits including
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from 1911–1913. The French demanded military recruits from the Bwa and in 1915, the Bwa revolted., starting the
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284:. These crops along with other grains and various fruits are used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes.
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257:
There are three professional castes within the Bwa society: the farmers, the musicians, and the blacksmiths.
195:) in Burkina Faso. Their total population is approximately 300,000. The major towns occupied by the Bwa are
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of their faces and bodies. This practice is no longer commonplace and so the term is also in decline.
330:
823:
Land of the flying masks: art and culture in
Burkina Faso ; the Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection
790:
Land of the flying masks: art and culture in
Burkina Faso ; the Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection
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553:
Land of the flying masks: art and culture in
Burkina Faso ; the Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection
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431:. There are several types of masks produced by the Bwa that are used in traditional rituals.
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174:. Admiring what they believed to be continuous blessings, the Bwa wanted to adopt some
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explorers to the area called the Bwa "Bobo", confusing them with their neighbours the
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464:. Mask performances generally take place in the dry season between February and May.
167:. This war lasted about a year and ended with the destruction of many Bwa villages.
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The
Spirits Dance in Africa Evolution, Transformation, and Continuity in Sub-Sahara
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In particular the
Southern Bwa are known for their tall plank masks, known as
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Endangering
Development: Politics, Projects, and Environment in Burkina Faso
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825:. Roy, Christopher D., Thompson, Jerry L. Munich: Prestel. pp. 52–53.
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The Bwa live in central
Burkina Faso and south-east Mali, between Mali's
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555:. Roy, Christopher D., Thompson, Jerry L. Munich: Prestel. p. 50.
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Due to these events, the Bwa turned to their neighboring people, the
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Povey, John (May 1979). "Traditional
Sculpture from Upper Volta".
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With that being said, they have also adopted both Islam and
792:. Roy, Christopher D., Thompson, Jerry L. Munich: Prestel.
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1066:
Land of the Flying Masks: Art and
Culture in Burkina Faso
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Burkina Faso: World Bibliographical Series, Volume 169.
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The northern Bwa use leaf masks more than wooden ones.
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meaning "scarred Bwa" as a result of the tradition of
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The southern Bwa became known by their neighbours as
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The Bwa are well known for their use of traditional
337:) for trading and communication with outsiders, and
146:
In the 18th century, Bwa lands were occupied by the
1064:Roy, Christopher D.; Thomas G. B. Wheelock (2007).
858:
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659:"Do in Leaves and Wood Among the Bobo and the Bwa"
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155:who raided and enslaved the Bwa and stole their
686:"La guerre coloniale du Bani-Volta, 1915-1916"
50:
1265:
1102:
1052:Genesis: Ideas of Origin in African Sculpture
438:, and tend to use wood to make their masks.
1026:. Galerie Amrad African Arts Publications.
955:
908:
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904:
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1109:
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893:: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
182:
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600:. forafricanart.com. 2006. Archived from
598:"African Art and the Bwa of Burkina Faso"
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134:is an African society that is native to
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765:"Buamu - A language of Burkina Faso"
719:"Ethnologue report for Burkina Faso"
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45:Regions with significant populations
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308:who make all the major decisions.
16:For the Congolese Bwa people, see
14:
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994:Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste (1998).
857:Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste (1998).
357:
72:
52:
1036:Engberg-Pedersen, Lars (2003).
986:
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821:Wheelock, Thomas G. B. (2007).
814:
788:Wheelock, Thomas G. B. (2007).
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763:Gordon, Raymond G. Jr. (2005).
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551:Wheelock, Thomas G. B. (2007).
1054:. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
732:
711:
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1:
1433:Ethnic groups in Burkina Faso
1118:Ethnic groups in Burkina Faso
663:Art and Life in Africa Online
523:Art and Life in Africa Online
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325:, a closely related group of
529:. 1998-11-03. Archived from
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956:Fortenberry, Diane (2017).
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861:The tribal arts of Africa
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34:
1022:Dagan, Esther A (1997).
980:Roy & Wheelock, p.53
960:. Phaidon. p. 313.
640:Roy & Wheelock, p.50
490:
421:Birmingham Museum of Art
401:
396:
382:
1050:LaGamma, Alisa (2002).
1008:Decalo, Samuel (1994).
749:(subscription required)
684:Royer, Patrick (2003).
191:and the Mouhoun River (
183:Regional Identification
1040:. Praeger Publishers.
424:
410:
391:
345:Religion and mythology
1438:Ethnic groups in Mali
1281:Ethnic groups in Mali
998:. Thames and Hudson.
705:10.3917/autr.026.0035
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657:Roy, Christopher D.
248:Society and politics
333:. Some speak Jula (
31:
1068:. Prestel Verlag.
721:. Ethnologue. 2015
667:University of Iowa
527:University of Iowa
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331:Niger–Congo family
29:
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1074:978-3-7913-3514-8
967:978-0-7148-7502-6
832:978-3-7913-3514-8
799:978-3-7913-3514-8
747:(18th ed., 2015)
562:978-3-7913-3514-8
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604:on 2008-06-25
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1012:Clio Press.
1009:
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987:Bibliography
976:
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918:
915:African Arts
914:
865:. New York.
860:
822:
816:
789:
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772:. Retrieved
742:
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723:. Retrieved
713:
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692:
679:
671:the original
662:
606:. Retrieved
602:the original
552:
546:
535:. Retrieved
531:the original
522:
519:"Bwa People"
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471:
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429:tribal masks
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368:Christianity
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136:Burkina Faso
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129:
117:Christianity
60:Burkina Faso
26:Ethnic group
477:Instruments
468:Bronzeworks
294:Blacksmiths
224:Bobo people
193:Black Volta
1427:Categories
1402:Toucouleur
774:2008-07-25
769:Ethnologue
744:Ethnologue
725:2015-04-01
608:2008-07-25
537:2008-07-22
486:References
436:nwantantay
189:Bani River
18:Boa people
1352:Khassonké
1332:Idaksahak
935:0001-9933
921:(3): 87.
889:cite book
699:: 35–51.
693:Autrepart
374:Practices
238:Nieniegue
157:livestock
90:Languages
1367:Mandinka
1347:Jakhanke
1209:Mandinka
1189:Jakhanke
881:40441052
841:70264730
808:70264730
571:70264730
450:serpents
317:Language
300:Politics
231:Bobo Gbe
220:European
106:Religion
1387:Soninke
1382:Songhai
1337:Igdalen
1312:Djimini
1297:Bambara
1224:Soninke
1194:Kassena
1179:Gurunsi
1149:Djimini
1144:Dagaaba
943:3335592
458:buffalo
454:monkeys
352:Animism
329:of the
312:Culture
282:peanuts
274:sorghum
261:Farming
253:Economy
205:Bagassi
142:History
112:Animism
85:125,000
65:175,000
40:300,000
1412:Tuareg
1397:Tellem
1377:Senufo
1362:Kurtey
1219:Senufo
1199:Kusasi
1072:
1058:
1044:
1030:
1016:
1002:
964:
941:
933:
879:
869:
839:
829:
806:
796:
569:
559:
339:French
335:Dioula
306:elders
280:, and
266:millet
218:Early
197:Houndé
161:famine
153:Fulani
148:Bamana
100:French
77:
57:
1407:Toloy
1372:Marka
1357:Kunta
1322:Dyula
1317:Dogon
1239:Zarma
1234:Yarse
1229:Turka
1214:Mossi
1174:Gurma
1169:Gouin
1164:Fulse
1154:Dyula
1129:Bissa
939:JSTOR
689:(PDF)
491:Notes
462:hawks
402:Style
397:Masks
383:Tools
288:Music
209:Dossi
122:Islam
119:(10%)
114:(85%)
96:Bwamu
1392:Susu
1327:Fula
1302:Bozo
1292:Arma
1204:Lobi
1159:Fula
1134:Bobo
1070:ISBN
1056:ISBN
1042:ISBN
1028:ISBN
1014:ISBN
1000:ISBN
962:ISBN
931:ISSN
895:link
877:OCLC
867:ISBN
837:OCLC
827:ISBN
804:OCLC
794:ISBN
567:OCLC
557:ISBN
460:and
278:yams
270:rice
211:and
201:Boni
176:Nuna
172:Nuna
130:The
124:(5%)
80:Mali
1307:Bwa
1139:Bwa
923:doi
741:at
701:doi
411:Use
392:Art
132:Bwa
30:Bwa
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