I decided to look into African and Tribal Culture for my project to further research my character designs. By creating designs based on motifs of textures and shapes that I have seen throughout the museum, I will add a sense of accuracy to my designs. I understand that all of these tribal items aren’t from the same place because they come from all over the world, but it makes for an interesting find because I can see how tribes all over the world have used similar techniques or aesthetics through living within a tribal community.
- These items are from Somalia
- The items are intricately patterned with geometric shapes.
- Clothing: Hat – has a lot of feathers, main colours were Red, beige and grey. The shape is triangular with dangling tassels
- Clothing: Shirt + Trousers – abstract bird and deers on the trousers ( does this have any symbolism?), patterns are geometrical and symmetrical. Noticeable star shape at the back. Very colorful and contrasts the plain white background fabric. Patterned belted fabric on shirt.
- Bags are tri coloured with pom poms attached to it. Fully patterned, with simple square bag design. Straps are different pattern from the bag (is the same fabric used for the strap the same for the bag?)
Top Right
- Coca Leaf Crown , Colombia/Peru
- Early 1900s
- Cane, feathers, plant Fibers
- Turquoise bird feathers symbolize the origins of the universe.
- Coca leaves when dry turn to powder – used to mediate encounters between animal, people and other worlds.
- Worn by leaders and their sons during ceremonies.
- Vibrant and very textured. Colours are blue, white, black and beige.
- Tobacco holders, Colombia/Peru
- Early 1900s
- Wood, nut bark, plant fibres
- Seed like containers contained tobacco paste. Extracted using stick or finger + chewed in small quantities
- Has an abstract face engraved on it like the paste is coming our its mouth.
- Was a portable item
Middle
- Dolphin tooth necklace, 1920s, plant fibres, Colombia
- Jaguar + monkey + capybara + tapir tooth necklaces, Early 1900s, Animal teeth, plant fibres, seeds, Colombia/Peru.
- According to elders, river dolphins were shapeshifters – can disguise as human + use other river creatures as clothing.
- Dolphins appear as white people to seduce/rape victims.
- Associated with greed and diseases introduced by rubber boom in early 1900s
Top left
- Carnelian & Lapiz Lazuli beads, imported from Gujurat & Afganistan.
- Heated , flakes & ground to make long biconical 6cm beads.
- Since Carnelian is a luxury good, Cheap imitations of it were made by using Terracota.
Top Right
- Rattle staff, Colombia/Peru
- Early 1900s
- Wood, nut bark, plant fibres
- Are ceremonial spears , contains small stones that rattle when speak is shook.
- Funerals – used to summon animal + human ancestors to guide deceased to the next world.
- Stones considered to be from bodies who had connections to spiritual worlds & those who weld the spear would be infused by that same power.
Middle
- Fighting staffs, taiaha
- used as a duel weapon by male members of the host group to greet distinguished visitors.
- Before Visitor can move forward, they must pick up a small dart/twig before them to indicate they accept the challenge and come in peace.
Top left
- Axe (gano) & knife ( bakatwa), Zimbabwe
- 19th/20th Century
- made of wood, iron & brass
- Ceremonial use – used as a focus of prayers to ancestors.
Bottom Middle
- Prayer arrows, Mexico
- 20th Century
- Wood, bamboo, feathers, paint.
- Arrows are used as offerings.
- Decorated with symbolic motifs.
Top Right
- Back ornament, Ecuador
- 1960s
- Feathers, seeds. beetle tissue, bird tissue
Middle
- Apron, Peru
- 1920s
- Feathers, beetle tissue
Top left
- Apron, Ecuador
- 1960s
- Feather, bark, bird tissue
- Traditional knowledge – to get ability to move through space + time , they have to transform into birds by wearing materials made out of birds
- Tribal communities’ would incorporate stories, myths and symbolisms into everything to depict history. In these canvases they would paint symbols in acrylic.
- Some of these paintings resemble abstract versions of a landscape.
- Its visually very colorful but the tone of colours that are used are quite dull.
- The patterns are very intricately detailed and visually textured.
Other objects that have interested me whilst I was looking around the Museum