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Exhibition of African and African Mexican masks at the National Museum of Popular Cultures in Mexico City |
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On the occasion of the Month of Black Heritage in Mexico, organized by the Association México Negro
5 March 2007/ Newsletter e-Cultura, Mexico
Some 60 African and 200 Mexican masks, plus 40 ritual sculptures and 20 utensils, ornamental sculptures such as fertility images, ceremonial staffs, scepters, spoons, stools, hair combs and toys, are being exhibited at the National Museum of Popular Cultures (MNCP) until April 15.
The exhibition, focused in the symbololy of masks used by some Indigenous and African peoples, is the first activity of the Month of Black Heritage in Mexico organized by society México Negro.
This is the contribution of the MNCP —on Hidalgo 289, Coyoacán— to the opening of the IV Festival of African Drum and Culture, an approach to the various cultural manifestations of African origin in our country.
Most of the African masks and objects come from Yorubas from Nigeria, Senufos from Ivory Coast, Kwala Zulú from South Africa, Masai Mara from Kenya, Ngi from Gabon, Kwasi from Cameroon, Ashanti from Ghana, Ge-Go from Liberia, and Mexican objects from Costa Chica in Guerrero, Oaxaca and the South of Veracruz.
The exhibition shows similarities between the rituals and usage of the African continent and Mexicans of African ascent, as well as the relationship between the Cosmo visions, religious rites and artistic expressions in spite of the distance between the countries.
There are also miniature and life-size carnival masks from other states the most outstanding from Oaxaca, in which local political constitution Blacks are registered together with other 16 Indigenous peoples.
Mexican Black population originated in Black slaves brought in Colonial times. In some states Black population amounts to 30 per cent of the total population of the state –Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Zacatecas and the Federal District. Most of the racial mixture is with Indians.
The program Month of Black Heritage in Mexico and the Festival of African Drum and Culture, includes a show of African costumes at Parque México, a round table on Africa and its impact on Mexico and the Caribbean and other activities.
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Related Link(s): The Slave Route, Cultural Policies |
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