Masks of the Koranko Poro: Form, Function, and Comparison to the Toma - Rilegato

Carey, Neil

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0979329019 ISBN 13: 9780979329012

Casa editrice: Ethnos Pubns, 2008

Riassunto

Continuing in the tradition of Dr. George Harley, the long-anticipated works of Dr. Neil Carey expand our understanding of the art and traditions of the Poro men’s secret society of West Africa. This book reveals that, contrary to Western teaching, the Koranko people of Sierra Leone and Guinea do indeed use Bush Spirit masks in their secret Poro rituals. Most of these masks are body masks, rather than horizontal masks or face masks. In addition to presenting a previously unpublished and important set of Koranko masks from all grade levels of Poro, the author also differentiates between the styles of Koranko masks and those of the neighboring Toma. Finally, Carey discusses previously published Koranko masks that have historically been attributed to the Toma. Included are 13 photographs of previously unpublished objects, as well as 10 photographs of reattributed published masks.The importance of this book extends far beyond the traditional arts of the Koranko and the Toma, for like all of this author’s work, it gives us a better understanding of the Poro, the original traditional religion of much of sub-Saharan West Africa, its secret rituals, and the uses of material art in its social-political-religious role as an agent of social control. One of only a handful of volumes on Koranko life and culture, it is the only one dedicated to their art and masking traditions.As an added benefi t, it also serves as a primer on Loma/Toma art and culture.xiv, 62 pages of text interspersed with 1 chart, 2 maps, 3 drawings, 15 color photographs and 10 black and white photographs. Hardcover

Su questo libro

L'autore:

Dr. Neil Carey is an independent scholar, Africanist, and physician who since 1997 has specialized in the Poro groups of West Africa, with special interest in their material art and ethnotoxicology. He is the author of several important books and papers on the art and culture of the Poro, including Making the Grade: The Meaning of Metals in Poro Art of West Africa.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Ethnos Pubns
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0979329019
• ISBN 13: 9780979329012
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 64