A Personal Journey -- Public Programs

Bell (dibu)
Kongo peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Late 19th-early 20th century
H. 21.8 cm (8 9/16 in.)
Wood, stone
National Museum of African Art, gift of Lawrence Gussman in memory of Dr. Albert Schweitzer,
98-15-9

Among the Kongo and Bembe peoples, ritual specialists, called nganga, prepared containers (nkisi, plural minkisi) often in the form of figures that were used to cure and protect or as part of judicial procedures. Empowering substances or "medicines" were placed in the mirror-covered boxes attached to these figures. Carved bells were part of the public invocations of spiritual forces by the nganga.

Location codes
ID Information Desk, Pavilion
POV Point of View Gallery, Level 1
LH Lecture Hall, Level 2
WS Workshop, Level 2
RC Ripley Center Lecture Hall, Level 3
HG Haupt Garden

Sun., June 9
A Personal Journey: Central African Art from the Lawrence Gussman Collection
Exhibition tour 2 p.m., ID
Survey objects from more than 30 African cultures.

Thurs., June 13
Scarification, Paint and Coiffure: The Body as Art in Central Africa
Exhibition tour 6:30 p.m., ID
Learn about various types of body decoration practiced in central Africa.

Sat., July 6
Folktales from Central Africa and Madagascar
2 p.m., LH
Docents present traditional tales from many regions of Africa.

Wed., July 17
Kabundi Tales
10:30 a.m., LH
Meet Kabundi, the antelope that outwits all those he encounters.

Sat., August 3
Folktales from Central Africa and Madagascar
2 p.m., LH
Docents present traditional tales from many regions of Africa.

Sun., August 11
A Personal Journey: Central African Art from the Lawrence Gussman Collection
Exhibition tour 2 p.m., ID
Survey objects from more than 30 African cultures.

Sat., September 7
Folktales from Central Africa and Madagascar
2 p.m., LH
Docents present traditional tales from many regions of Africa.

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