Python Spirit on the Baga Coast: A Scientific and Art Historical Investigation

This study explores the wooden Serpent figures/headdresses of the Baga people of Guinea, a collaboration between an art historian and scientists. It examines the ethnological and art historical evidence for the Serpent masquerade, analyzes the extant figures in collections, and discusses the scientific examinations of a particular Serpent figure. The masquerade disappeared in the 1950s due to Islamic jihad prohibitions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2024
Publisher: Five Continents Editions

This extensive study delves into the intricate world of wooden Serpent figures/headdresses among the Baga people of Guinea, a collaboration between the author, an art historian, and a diverse array of experts from various fields. The text commences by thoroughly examining the ethnological and art historical evidence supporting the Serpent masquerade tradition among the Baga. This tradition involves the wearing of an enormous wooden serpent figure atop the head, symbolizing a python. Interestingly, this unique masquerade has never been witnessed or documented by an outsider, and it disappeared in the 1950s, along with most ritual performances, following the implementation of strict prohibitions against indigenous religions by an Islamic jihad.

The subsequent sections provide a comprehensive analysis of the surviving Serpent masquerade figures, which are currently housed in collections across Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Additionally, the text explores other representations of the python in the ritual art of the region. The final chapters present a lively debate between individuals involved in the arts, including art historians, dealers, appraisers, collectors, and curators, as well as scientific examinations conducted by specialists in botany, chemistry, physics, entomology, and conservation, concerning a specific Serpent figure in question.

Through this comprehensive exploration, the study sheds light on the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Baga people, highlighting the significance of the Serpent masquerade in their social and religious practices. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the study of art and culture, as well as the significance of preserving and understanding these unique artistic expressions.

Dimension: 285 x 240 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9791254600443