Basically art for art does not stem from African culture. Art is a western concept and vision brought through colonization to African people who have progressively integrated it to their own culture.
Then, all African cultural and traditional creations, such as masks, musical instruments and traditional music, sculptures, tribal dances should not be seen through the western concept of art, but the African one of rites, spiritual world and ancestors’ worship.
Traditional music, for instance, where the specific sound of each instrument, mainly mouth bow, balafon, harp, a large range of bells, drums and rattles are used to call specific spirits. Each instrument corresponds to a specific rite; the mouth bow (otherwise called Mougongo) is for example related to Bwiti Misoko where harps are used in Bwiti Dissoumba and Balafon in the North of the country by the ethnic group called ‘Fang’.
The masks and sculptures may be used either in therapeutic, consulting or initiation rites. Each ethnic group has its own rites and related masks, sculpture, dances, music and songs. African culture can definitely boast a huge diversity and an incredible sophistication in its complexity. African rites, dances and rythms are also related to both African legal system and African traditional medicine using the striking Rainforest biodiversity to find medicinal plants, which are combined with the assistance of spirits, to heal a large range of ailments or illnesses.
The women from Djembe religion have traditionally a legal role and their verdict is highly respected.
BWITI
Mougongo Player “Mougongo Motimbo”
Woman Ritual Dance “Maboundi”
Cultural clip
Fortunately, colonization has not achieved to eradicate Gabonese culture and traditions which are still very much and genuinely alive. Moreover, Gabonese people have taken over the western concept of Art to enhance further their creativity.
In Gabon, Art manifests itself mainly through painting, fashion and hairdressing, and sculptures.
PAINTINGS
Georges Mbourou, Ernest Onewin-Walker, Prosper Ekore, Benoît Arenaut and Olimbo Ndjave are among the most celebrated painters in Gabon.
SCULPTURES:
Joseph Aubin, C. Ndong Mezamet and Antonio Pépin (who is a painter as well) are among the most famous sculpters. (click the culture in Gabon link and have a look on the travel diary link for some pictures and interviews)
Otherwise, from African craft market at Libreville, you can buy the Gabonese specialty of Mbigou stone made statuettes.
- Mbigou stone sculpture
FASHION
Gabonese women show stunning and spectacular hairdressing in terms of originality. It is literally sculpture on hair! (click the culture in Gabon and see the travel diary link for some pictures). Great artists can also be found in Clothes design.
Beitch’ Faro won the international Prize of African fashion held in Nigeria in December 2003 thanks to the superb dress called “The Queen of Scales” embroidered with real fish scales!
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