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Port Mellon Hwy, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V6, Canada

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These beautiful masks are worn by the dancers of the tribe during a ceremony and used to manifest transformation. These masks use a formline style with colours of red, blue, black and are carved of cedar wood. Though these mask were still in production under colonialism, the carving techniques changed.

1. Stopped using non-metal carving techniques, turned to iron tools.
2.Stopped using natural pigments, resulting in brighter colours.

Many of these masks were confiscated by the Canadian government due to the ban of potlatches. The mask above is able to be viewed at the UBC anthropology museum. The mask was stolen against the will of the Kwakwaka’wakw, it shows how colonialism is still engraved in Canada as the Canadian government has not given back the mask. By placing this mask on the map hopefully it brings awareness to the mistreatment of indigenous peoples in Canada.

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FINIAL OF A SPOKESPERSON’S STAFF (OKYEAME POMA) 

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FINIAL OF A SPOKESPERSON’S STAFF (OKYEAME POMA) 

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This beautiful staff made of gold is used as an insignia for a high ranking official advisor in Asante. Linguist staffs often use Asante proverbs as a way to show power, like in the image above the egg is the symbol of power the man holds in his hands. By him not breaking the egg it shows the strength and control he has in his hands. Though the office of Okyeame is centuries old, it was influenced by colonialism.

1.The staff used to take the form of a cane, which was borrowed by European prototypes.
2.The British gave these staffs to Akan chiefs who represented the colonial authority.
3.These staffs have now turned into representations for other institutes.

These 3 points are important as it shows that a culture so old and rich with its own art can be influenced by colonialism and destroy the actual symbolism of the piece. By the British giving these staff to chiefs it started the trend of the staff being given to other institutes like the institute of music. Which takes away its original meaning. Though this is not a bad thing as art is constantly evolving, it makes one wonder what the art piece would be used for had colonialism not been there.

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Tshuapa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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These figures are used as a protection. Which is a magical charm that is turned into a human form, to highlight the human roles it plays like, oath taking over lawsuits etc.
Under colonialism these figures were found by Europeans which lead to.
1. confiscation due to sorcery/witch craft.
2. Many were collected to study Kongo culture.
3. Were turned into what we know as voodoo in New Orleans.

The history of this art piece is important as it shows that colonialism stole many things from many countries not only their resources but their culture. By turning this sacred item into a superstitious one in New Orleans it is disrespecting the true meaning.

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These figures are popular within the indigenous communities of Nigeria. They were used as a spiritual symbol to represent dead twins. And colonialism has ruined that.
1. The figurines are not as popular as they used to be as they tend to be expensive. Now a cheaper option like a doll or a photograph is good enough to symbolize the spiritual connection between dead twins.
2. Westerners want to collect these figurines so they are mass manufactured making them lose some meaning.

I chose this figurine to show that something as beautiful as these figures are no longer a popular part of a culture due to colonialism. The fact that westerners want to collect something sacred makes the item lose its meaning and is the lingering colonialism. And the fact that these sculptures are replaced by plastic dolls now as its a cheaper option shows how poorly colonialism has left Africa. Colonialism has made it difficult for some nations to practice their culture.

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This piece is believed to be the king of Benin's mother, Idia. Though this piece was made for a king it is greatly influenced by the colonialism of the Portuguese and other European nations.
1. The mask is white to attract Portuguese traders.
2.Around the Tiara and collar there is mudfish and bearded men to symbolize the Portuguese.
3. Europeans requested art work made from ivory which created an influx of art work like this one.

This piece is important to history as it shows a nation trying to catter towards a big nation in order to gain money and possibly influence. The Portuguese and Europeans brought a ton of wealth, and ivory was very popular, by creating art for the Europeans that is made of ivory influenced a whole group of art. This shows how strong of a grip Colonialism had on some nations.