Once we were Baga
The works presented here were created by Baga masters, who were, for my father, his bigger brothers ( a term we use out of respect and loyalty ). Thus, these artists are truly an integral part of me.
Their works were conceived to serve our community, to act as a link between us and our ancestors, our history, and, most importantly, between us as individuals, and our guardian spirits. And as such, they protected and held our community intact.
Today this world is long gone.
It is my hope that this volume will shed light on our heritage, and will enable a wider audience to transcend cultural barriers and understand the beauty, wisdom, moral, and faith embedded in each work.
Nkai Sidime
Guinea, Conakry
Nkai Sidime (b.1950) is one of Guinea’s most renowned sculptors, an international West African art, scholar, and mentor.
‘Once we were Baga now we are Susu” is a Baga proverb lamenting that the Baga, once a
Powerful independent group, has forsaken their ancestors ways to join the Muslim majority.
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