Oxygun Rituals In African Art

The Egungun performance is a sect of the community-wide masquerade dances, which are often found in the Yoruba and Benin cultures. These rituals are ancestral masquerades preformed within Yoruba culture and the Republic of Benin. Ancient African rituals vary largely in their performance and meaning. The term Egungun often refers to all masked figures found among the ritual, which are those targeted by Leonce Raphael Abgodjelou in his art exhibit. The Egungun ritual is a performance funeral, marking the passage of the deceased to the spirit world . These gatherings are community-wide, drawing both dancers and audience members to participate. According to Dr. Charles Fore, senior lecturer in the history of African art, Egungun rituals are “annual
Never meant for public view, the emblem is a powerful argument for the effectiveness of accumulation in African sculpture. Unlike other art traditions where sculpture is often the work of a single artist, created over a definable period of time, African works often benefited from additions made after their original conception. The visual force of this emblem results from the vast array of material attached to it. Its final form has been shaped by the subsequent attachments of multiple animal bones — the lower jaw of a chimpanzee, and the skulls of crocodiles, duikers, and forest buffalo — left over from society feasts. The emblem’s visual force comes in part from the subsequent attachment of an array of materials. Its final form has been shaped by the addition of multiple skulls from animals consumed at society feasts: the lower jaw of a chimpanzee, the skulls of crocodiles, duikers, forest buffalo or cows, and the remains of a rodent. This largely differs from the Egungun adornments, brightly colored and acting as a costume rather than a
The Ngbe society symbol is an art piece that holds a style vastly different than that of the Egungun exhibition. The two pieces contrast largely in many elements of art and design – including color, texture, emphasis, pattern, and movement. The society symbol features earthy undertones with gray, dark color schemes. The texture is rough, natural, and uninhibited. The emphasis of this symbol falls upon the specific pieces of bone, drum, and sand sticks. The stress falls upon each individual portion, and how it creates the art as a whole. From the intimidation of cracked bone to honor of ancient drum, each piece is a dynamic, distinct addition. The style of art that creates the Egungun ritual garbs largely contrasts the Ngbe’s symbol. Finally, the rhythm, variety, and patter of both the Ngbe societal symbol and Egungun exhibition create unity. Largely relying on the individual portions of art being brought together, each piece contains a plethora of unique portions that come together to create the art as a whole. A drum lies within the center of the piece, to symbolize legislative authority. The cracked bones create the intimidation met by those not directly involved within society. The pieces of twine and bark create a raw, natural impression, reaffirming the society’s ancient heritage. The styles of the two pieces are in direct contrast, however more distinctions are present