Originating from the Akan Kingdoms of the Gold Coast, present day Ghana, Kuduo (meaning vessel) are ornate cast brass vessels which were possessed by kings and courtiers in the Kingdoms. Kuduo was used to keep Gold dust, and other items that were of personal significance and value to the possessor of the Kuduo. When the…

The mossi dolls originate from the mossi people of Burkina Faso, in West Africa. The mossi doll is also called ‘biiga’ (which means child), by the mossi people. These mossi dolls are wooden figurines made from one piece of wood standing on a broader base. The dolls portray the characteristics of an adult woman; with…

The Oba heads are courtly artifacts that originate from the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom, Nigeria. The title of “oba,” or king, is passed on to the firstborn son of each successive king of Benin at the time of his death. The first obligation of each new king during this transfer of rule is…

The Dogon is an ethnic group mainly located in Mali, West Africa. This Dogon maternity figure is a fine piece of art carved out of wood. To the Dogon people, it represents symbolically, feminine beauty and fertility. Dogon statues as this are mostly found in shrines and used as objects of petition and prayers, for…

The Guro /Gouro also called Kweni, people of the Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), in the valley regions of the Bandama River; they speak a language of the Mande branch of the Niger-Congo family of African languages. The Guro masks are handcrafted by the Guro people and represent their spiritual way of life. This Guro mask,…

As courtly artefacts, the Benin Bronzes were used to decorate the palace of the Oba (King of the Benin Kingdom). The Benin Bronzes are a collection of bronze statues, sculptures and plaques which were made to glorify the Oba and honour the Iyoba (Queen mother). This warrior figure is one of the many Benin bronze…

The Senufo masks were made by the Senufo people located at the Northern part of Cote d’Ivoire. The masks were used in different kinds of masquerades mainly associated with Poro societies.  All adult male and post-menopausal women among the Senufo are obliged   to join a Poro society, which hold an important position in the political…

Masks are the most important art form of the Dan people who live on both sides of the border between Ivory Coast and Liberia. The Dan people refer to these masks as gle or ge, terms that refer both to the physical mask and the individual spirits the mask is believed to embody during masquerade…

In the Yoruba culture, twins are said to possess supernatural powers and must be given special care. When a twin dies at infancy, the Ere Ibeji is carved to represent the dead twin.  The Ere Ibeji is said to be the focus for the spiritual energy of the dead twin residing in the spirit realm…

This Nimba statue also referred to as D’mba statue hails from the Baga clan of Guinea. It represents the mother of fertility, protector of pregnant women, and presides over all agricultural ceremonies. Among many other traditional symbols, the Nimba has become an expression of national pride, as evidenced by the Guinean bank’s use of it…