52 



COLLECTKKXS FROM AFRICA 



These primitive j)('()i)l(' of the C'onji;o (hsplay remarkable skill in work- 

 iiiji iron, us an examination of their weapons of war and of the chase will 

 show. W Ood-earvinj!;. weaving, and spinning are done by the men; 

 pottery is made l)y tlic women. Musical instruments are numerous. 

 An exhibition of bronze and l)rass castings, a craft amon^ the Benin and 

 unheard of before 1897, is in the north end of the hall. Many of tliese 

 bronzes portray cultural traits. This method of casting was em[)loyed 

 in Europe in the Renaissance period. How old tlie art may be and how 

 much of it is really native is a (juestioii. 



Bark cloth, shown in some of the cases, is used for bed mats and cloth- 

 in<>:. In the case at the south end of the C'on«!;() collections are a nund)er 



MULANDI CARVED STICKS, AFRICA 



Wood carving is a highly developed art in South-central Atrica and the Congo. The carv 

 ingon these knob-sticks represents great power of finish and execution. 



of so-called "])ile blankets" which the ukmi weave and the women decor- 

 ate. 



The countless num])er of knives, spears and warlike implements is 

 suggestive of the manner hi which tliese people live; they are never 

 certain of not being attacked. They make few ]X'rmanent things and 

 store up little food in time of plenty. 



Fetish worship is common. Some of these fetishes are supposed to 

 give security in battle or to ward off ills. The ceremonial masks of 

 which a great numl)er are on exhibition, are owned and worn mostly by 

 the shamans or j)riests. Ancestor worship is found among some tribes. 



[Return to the elevators.] 



