Society and Culture in Twentieth-Century Africa

Ivory Salt Cellar
Benin, Nigeria
15-16th centuries
This ivory Benin slat cellar was commissioned by the Portuguese. The iconography of the object is interesting because the Portuguese are depicted like Benin rulers. For example, the figure is holding a ceremonial sword. The ship on top depicts how the Portuguese arrived and also refers to the god associated with water and power, Olokun. Thus, one sees a very clear visual connection made by the people of Benin with the Portuguese and power/wealth.

Commemorative Coffin

Ga people of SE coast of Ghana

20th century

Kane Kwei was the first to introduce the new tradition of commemorative coffins. His coffins are commissioned by the family of the deceased and what is depicted has a direct relationship to the life led by teh deceased. For example, the owner of the coffin displayed would have had some connection to photography. Significantly, these coffins allow traditional funeral rite values to be upheld through untraditional means. The coffins were elevated to the category of 'art' through the attention of Western art dealers. Indeed, as most of his work is buried (being functional above all), commissions from tourists and foreign museums allow the works a continued public life.

An example of Bekinaruibi masquerade,

Kalabari people of Nigeria

18th century

Masquerade is quintessential to Kalabari self-perception. The shown example of Bekinaruibi masquerade depicts a water spirit, associated with unpredictable wealth and power. The water spirit is portrayed as a large water animal crossed with a ship. The employment of new materials such as mirrors and feather dusters combined with the foreign iconography of a ship show the constant process of assimilation of new ideas and materials into Kalabari visual language.