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Writer's pictureBrenna Reistad

African Voices

All photos by Brenna Reistad


Multiple Candomble Items


Multiple Candomble Items

Brass

Afro-Brazilian, Candomble Practitioner

South America

Brazil

1996 - 1997

402720

IN CANDOMBLE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, ITEMS LIKE THIS WAS CARRIED IN DANCES FOR OXUM, A POWERFUL WITCH WHO IS THE DEITY OF RIVER AND LOVE. BRASS SWORD HAS PLAIN POINTED BLADE AND HANDLE. SWORD GUARD IS A STYLIZED FISH DESIGN WITH STAMPED AND INCISED DECORATIVE PATTERN. OVAL TAG ON BLADE HAS ETCHED SIGNATURE "EINEIDA 97."


IN CANDOMBLE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, ITEMS LIKE THIS WAS CARRIED IN DANCES FOR OXUM, A POWERFUL WITCH WHO IS THE DEITY OF RIVER AND LOVE. FISH-SHAPED PENDANT IS MADE FROM CUT BRASS WITH STAMPED AND INCISED DETAILS. CHAIN LINK IS ATTACHED TO HOLES IN TAIL AND FIN. FISH IS DEPICTED SIDE-VIEW AND LOOKING TOWARD ITS RIGHT (and one left).




Candomble Altar Pieces


Candomble Altar Pieces


SOLDERED ALTAR PIECE HAS GLOSSY, DARK-BROWN PATINA. HAS CONVEX BASE, HOLLOW UNDERNEATH. CENTRAL ARM GOES STRAIGHT UP. AT BASE OF ARM, DIAGONAL BRANCH ON EITHER SIDE. THEN A CURVED BRANCH POINTING UP FLANKING CENTRAL ARM. EACH END OF CURVED END BRANCHES INTO 3 SMALLER CURVED BRANCHES. CENTRAL ARM ENDS AT TOP WITH 3 CURVED BRANCHES. ALL END HAVE FLAT, LEAF-SHAPED POINTS.IN CANDOMBLE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, THIS KIND OF ALTAR PIECE IS USED FOR EXU, THE DIVINITY OF DESTINY AND CROSSROADS.


IN CANDOMBLE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, THIS SPECIFIC ALTAR PIECE DESIGN SIGNIFIES ITS USE FOR OSSAYIN, A DEITY OF HEALING. DARK BROWN, DULL METAL ALTARPIECE HAS CENTRAL STEM WHICH CURVES INTO A CIRCULAR BASE. CENTRAL STEM ENDS IN A STYLIZED, BIRD-LIKE DESIGN. JUTTING OUTWARD FROM AROUND THE STEM ARE 6 BRANCHES, NAILED AND SOLDERED TO THE STEM. THE BRANCHES END IN LEAF-SHAPED POINTS WITH CURVED TIPS.


Candomble Raffia Headdress W/ Fringe


Candomble Raffia Headdress W/ Fringe

1996

Afro-Brazilian, Candomble Practitioner

South America

Brazil

E428626-0


IN CANDOMBLE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, ITEMS LIKE THIS ARE WORN IN DANCES FOR OMOLU, THE DEITY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND HEALING. WHEN WORN, THIS HEADDRESS REACHES THIGH-LENGTH. HEADDRESS IS PAIRED WITH SKIRT, CAT NO. E428627. From African Voices exhibit: "Practitioners of Candomblé use raffia strands, as seen in this mask, to call attention to powerful places and beings."



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