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…

The Tada seated figure is among the Tsoede bronzes, a group of bronze artefacts distributed by Tsoede who is said to have founded the Nupe Kingdom. This seated bronze figure is said to have belonged to the Tada village of the Nupe kingdom on the Niger River, 200 kilometers from Ile- Ife.  This bronze figure…

NIgeria has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are: Sukur Cultural Landscape, Adamawa State Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill above the village of Sukur in the Adamawa State of Nigeria. Its UNESCO inscription is based on the cultural heritage, material culture, and the naturally-terraced fields. Sukur is…

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a sacred grove along the banks of the Osun River just outside the city of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The Osun-Osogbo Grove is several centuries old and is among the last of the sacred forests that once adjoined the edges of most Yoruba cities before extensive urbanization. In recognition of its…

Sukur is in the Adamawa State of Nigeria. It is located in the Mandara Mountains, close to the border with Cameroon. Its UNESCO inscription is based on the cultural heritage, material culture, and the naturally-terraced fields. Nigeria has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa state and Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove…