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Question 5
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- Chiwara
- N'tomo
- Nomoli
- Bundu
Write notes on any three of the above art forms under:
(i)location;
(ii) medium;
(iii) function;
(iv) characteristics.
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Very few candidates attempted this question and they responded poorly by mixing
up the points, thus loosing obtainable marks.
Candidates' responses were expected to highlight some of the following points:
a. CHIWARA
Location: Found among the Bambara people of Mali.
Medium:Wood
Function:
- They are used for agricultural rites to ensure bumper harvest.
- They are worn by two dancers performing ceremonial tilling
of the land, which marks the beginning of the planting
season.
- They bring about cooperation among all members of the
community.
Characteristics:
- helmet mask joined to basket cap.
- a representation of an antelope head with elongated horns
surmounting the head.
- raffia covering for the body.
- the rest ofthe body stylized in geometric forms.
b. NTOMO
Location:Bambara, in Mali.
Medium:Wood.
Function:
- it is used for puberty initiation for boys.
- boys between ages 7 and 12 join the Ntomo Society.
- it teaches them good behaviour and protects them from
danger.
Characteristics:
- the masks are semi-abstract and semi-naturalistic.
- they ate covered with cowry shells.
- they are decorated with blood-red seeds or shinning brass.
- they are oval shaped.
- they are partitioned into a curved plane of the forehead and
nose.
- above the face is a female figure flanked with four vertical
horns-
c. NOMOLI
Location: Mende, of Sierra-Leone.
Medium: Soap Stone
Function: .
- used for agricultural purposes.
- they are placed in rice fields for successful harvest. If the
figures fail in this function, they are beaten.
Characteristics:
- they have small conical head.
- they have round phallic body.
- they have disproportionate head.
- the breasts are enlarged.
- they are made into a crouching position.
d. BUNDU
Location:Mende, Sierra Leone.
Medium: Wood,
Funtion:
Used in initiation ceremony for girls.
Characteristics:
- helmet mask with female reproductive features.
- high bulging forehead.
- small delicate face.
- straight and small nose.
- tightly~ closed lips, close to the edge of the face.
- small closed eyes represented by slits.
- face decorated with incised geometric designs.
- the hair style is arranged into a heavy crest and adorned with
emblems.
- ring-like bulges for the neck as a sign of beauty and
prosperity.
smooth surface, painted black and polished.
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