Who are the Baga?

Introduction

Duration: 3:46 mins
Video footage and stills: Michael Weiss and Abu Kouruma
Video editing: Amir Ronen
Soundtrack: Syrinx, by Claude Debussy

The Great Mother

Nimba- the Great Mother- shoulder mask, Baga people, The Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1935
Wood, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Nimba Shoulder Masks and Headdresses

Nimba – The Great Mother – shoulder mask, Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, ca. 1935
Wood and copper, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Shoulder mask/headdress, possibly of the zigurin-wonde (young bride), Baga people, Katako, The Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1940, Wood, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Masks and Headdresses

Bust headdress-mask (tiyambo/Yombofissa), Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, ca. 1980
Wood, cloth, pigment, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Male initiation snake mask (bansonyi), Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, ca. 1963 Wood and pigment, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

A-tshol

Family shrine figure (elek/a-tshol), Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, late 19th – early 20th century
Wood, Gift of Ernst Anspach, New York, to American Friends of the Israel Museum / B87.0133

Masks and Headdresses with birds

Double-pelican headdress, Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, Mid-20th century Wood, pigment, metal, A gift from the Dina and Michael Weiss Collection of African Art/ B17.1824

A- bamp bird headcrest, Baga people, the Republic of Guinea Ca. 1930
Wood, pigment, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Banda Mask

Banda mask, Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1955
Wood, pigment, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Drum/Timba

Male initiation drum (timba), Baga people, The Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1944
Wood, animal skin, paint, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Women’s Secret Societies and The Katako Hoard

Young female initiate figure, Baga people, Katako, the Republic of Guinea, ca. 1950, Wood, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

A-tekan Woman's society maternity figure with child, Baga people, The Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1930, wood, Dina & Michael Weiss Collection of African Art

Male Pre-Initiation Figure

Pre-initiation male child figure, Baga people, The Republic of Guinea, Ca. 1900, Wood, Gift of the Faith-dorian and Martin Wright family, New York, to American Friends of the Israel Museum, in memory of their son, Jordan M. Wright, / B08.1058

Sibondel

Headdress or Box mask (Sibondel), Baga people, the Republic of Guinea, Early 20th century Wood, pigment, cotton textile, A gift from the Dina and Michael Weiss Collection of African Art / B14.1948