2009.46 Robe for a dignitary (boubou lomasa)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The long, flowing form of this robe and its vast sleeves are typical of prestigious boubous worn by high-ranking Muslim and non-Muslim men throughout West Africa; however, the rectangular neckline, indigo-d
2013.25.3 Man’s prestige robe (riga or agbada)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Voluminous tailored "robes of honor" evoke traditional concepts of success, power, and influence. Traditionally, such robes are made of wild silk or cotton threads, woven in narrow strips on a hand loom, and extensively embroidered with silk, cotton, or wool threads. The robes have sleeves longer than the wearer's extended arms which are bunched or folded over the shoulder.
2014.46.1 Cut-thread cloth (pelete-bite)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Pelete means "cut-thread" and bite means "cloth" in the Ijo language. Pelete bite is uniquely associated with Kalabari peoples living in the Delta region of Nigeria and produced solely by Kalabari women in the town of Buguma.
2008.15 Woman’s embroidered shawl
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Some works of art, such as this one, can be mystifying. Scholars are intrigued by them, yet they know little about why, where, and how the works were made and used. This woman’s shawl—or is it a head scarf?—exemplifies this quandary.
2014.47 Cut-thread cloth (pelete-bite)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Pelete means "cut-thread" and bite means "cloth" in the Ijo language.
2009.13 Man’s tunic
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
According to Yoruba oral tradition, beads were invented by Olokun,the god of the sea, who made a beaded crown for the Odudua (also Oduduwa), the founder and first king of the Yoruba peoples in southwestern Nigeria. This would have occurred in the mythical past.
2010.37 Tunic with appliquéd designs
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The dominant motif appliquéd on this garment is a double gong, the emblem of a men’s regulatory society. The actual ceremonial gong was made of iron, a precious but mysterious metal believed to be imbued with special powers.
1984.160.McD Monochromatic skirt with appliqué
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Exceptionally wide woven raffia panels like this one are decorated with appliquéd geometric shapes and wrapped multiple times around the body and worn as skirts.
Iconography of the Ifa divination tray (opon ifa)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The eight segments of this divination tray are separated by a rope-like convention that may refer to the rope a palm wine tapper uses to climb the tree. Beginning at the top of the tray and moving clockwise, Eshu's face appears at each of the cardinal points (segments 1, 3, 5, and 7). Multiple images of Eshu are not uncommon on Ifa divination trays. However, Eshu appears in a double image at the top of this tray.
2008.99.2 Egungun costume
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This colorful, lavishly decorated, and much used Egungun costume is made of imported corduroy and velvet, sequins, yarns, threads, brass bells, and chain links, as well as cowrie shells, which were used as currency before the introduction of coins and paper money. It has two layers of lappets, each distinguished by materials and decoration.