 |
Statuaire et Fétiches
Before being tribal art pure it was a need, a divine representation for the appeasing of the hearts. The majority of the traditional works of art in Africa had a religious goal. The man called upon various beliefs intended to reconcile the innumerable surrounding forces. Were born from the divinities, geniuses, called upon by rites intended to enter in communication with them, called in order to protect them, in prayer and incantations in various forms: songs, dances, offerings and sacrifice. The men asked a sculptor to create a form which would be used as receptacle, of useful support during ceremonies, which often personifies dead ancestors or divinities.
FETICHES: The word fetish became designation for objects which, after certain acts ritual are invested powers in personal matter or forces impersonal. A fetish can be used for a magic act activated by sacrificial gifts. Its goal is to defend themselves, harm or to have children. The synonym of fetish bears the name of "juju" to West Africa. In certain areas, the boxes are supported by a base of clay statuettes, like in the medium of the court. Sacrifices and offerings are given by the faithful ones to activate the effectiveness. The fetishes are decorated pearls, bells, fabrics, fur, feathers, teeth, snakeskins, this unit ends in strange objects, sometimes inquétants, marks of supernatural which one knows little about. At the time of his manufacture, the soothsayer sacrilizes the object by magic formulas. After the soothsayer, it is the fetichor who takes over (very famous in pharmacopeia).
African Statue-fetishes
!
