The Met: Part 2

Somehow we are back to another weekend, so I will continue my journey where I ventured through several centuries in the African, South American and Native American exhibits.

The Ethiopian exhibit featured dozens of masks and costumes worn during ritual ceremonies. Several masks struck me with their direct connection of historical events happening during the time of their creation. These masks, referred to as "white-faced masks," portrayed light-skinned males. During the time these were made (19th century), Europe was having a field day on these native lands colonizing each region and introducing Christian missionaries into the region. While many of the items found in these exhibits resembled African gods and goddesses, there was a significant number of items also featuring Christian images. Bibles, necklaces and tapestries all were designed with scenes from scripture of Christ hanging from the cross.

Regardless of religious beliefs, Africans during these periods had a strong sense of what marriage was and how sexuality played a part in that union. I stood by listening to a tour guide (I know, I took a brief, free tutorial) describe the significance of one statue in particular. She said the statue represents a married couple because of the arm placed around the shoulder of the female. The placement of the male's hand signifies that his wife is with child, and the enlarged belly-buttons of the couple represent a connection between the two coming from the core of their bodies. African culture believes all unions come from the center of the body where the most vital organs are located. There were many of these types of sculptures throughout the exhibits, and while I thought they might be a bit R-rated, it was amazing to me how scholars on the subject can put such meaning into a piece based solely on a few depicted features of the body.

It's not uncommon today to see people with enormous holes in their ears from stretching the earlobe by gauged earrings. This trend is one that began far sooner than most would know, and it was shown in the Colombian collection dating back to the 16th century. The jewelry was astonishing in its size and weight. Ear gauges, or as they were referred to, "ear rods," nose pendents and even necklaces weighed several pounds, and if seen being worn, I can only imagine would cover half the face. The South Americans utilized all resources found in that region of the world, from gold and silver, to bronze and wood.

As astonishing in size as the South American jewelry were the Native American totem poles. These poles adorned meeting houses to ward evils from places of sacred value. The tribes owning these poles can be identified by the spirits personified on each pole. The detail of the wood is one that any carpenter would give a leg to have the skill to copy.


I feel that my adventures to The Met are not over, but this is a taste of what you may expect to find. Let the adventures continue...