#ngbandi

[artifacts-archive]

Knife

Ngbandi, unknown date

[loadsofplaces]

Central African Republic

General Information The Central African Republic has probably been settled for more than 8.000 years by ancestors of today’s Aka (Pygmy) people. In 1903 the French colony of Ubangi-Shari was established. In 1960, the Central African Republic achieved independence. The political situation has been tumultuous. From 2004 to 2007 the Central African Republic Bush War took place, since 2012 another Civil War has been ongoing. The Central African Republic is ethnically and linguistically diverse, with the Gbaya, Banda and Mandjia being some of the largest groups. Around half of the 5.5 Million inhabitants are Protestant, 30% Roman Catholic, 10% Muslim and 10% follow traditional beliefs. The official languages are Sango, which is a Creole based on the Northern Ngbandi language, and French. The capital is Bangui.

~Anastasia

Economy The economy of the Central African Republic is $2.321 billion by gross domestic product as of 2019, with an estimated annual per capita income of just $805 as measured by purchasing power parity in 2019.

~ Damian

[luba-lukasa]

Congolese god of the day: Ketua

Tribe: Ngbandi

God of fortune. One of the seven gods invoked at daybreak. He has seven children: morning, noon, evening, night, sun, moon and water, who is the first born. He controls both good and bad fortune

Dieu de fortune. Un de sept dieu invoque à aube. Il a sept enfants: matin, midi, soir, nuit, soleil, lune et eau, qui est le premier né. Il contrôle le fortune bien et mal

[aic-african]

Bottle, Ngbandi, 1901, Art Institute of Chicago: Arts of Africa

The Uele River lies north of the Congo River and intersects with it by way of the Ubangi. Here dense forest gradually gives way to more open savanna, granting farmers access to rich resources for making ironwork and pottery, which they have exploited since at least 2300 B.C. The homeland of the Yacoma people lies near the confluence of the Uele and Ubangi rivers, and they have taken advantage of this locale by actively engaging in river trade, which flourished in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and included fine pottery. The artistry of this bottle lies in its well-honed angles, each accentuated by textured embellishment. These sharp shifts seem to defy the medium of clay, which more naturally accommodates gentle transitions and rounded forms. Complementing its crisp shape, the highly burnished surface stands in high contrast to the red and white pigments that were rubbed into its stippled bands and triangles. Yacoma potters have explored variations on this theme, as other published examples readily demonstrate. Gift of Keith Achepohl Size: 27.9 × 20.3 cm (11 × 8 in.) Medium: Terracotta and pigment

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/184632/

[lionofchaeronea]

Mask with ritual scarification, of the Ngbandi culture, Ubangi River region, present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Artist unknown; 19th century.  Now in the Brooklyn Museum.  Photo credit: Brooklyn Museum.

[armthearmour]

A rattan shield of the Ngbandi people, Democratic Republic of the Congo, probably 19th century, housed at the Smithsonian Museum.

[facinaoris]

Goddess of peace.

[stefanowpasquini]

#Untitled #5 #September #2019 #Ngbandi (at Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Bra57okxX/?igshid=y7u8adeb6d6a

[fishstickmonkey]

Shield

Maker: Ngbandi artist or Benga artist

Date: Early to mid-20th century

Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo or Central African Republic

Medium: Plant fiber, wood

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

[acrosscenturiesandgenerations]

▪Pair of Figures. Date: late 1800’s-early 1900’s Place of origin: Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Culture: probably Ngbandi people Medium: Wood, copper, glass beads, iron, fabric.

[cma-african-art]

Male Figure of a Pair, late 1800s-early 1900s, Cleveland Museum of Art: African Art

Although this pair has been attributed to the Ngbandi, many of the style characteristics identified as typical of that culture are in fact shared with its neighbors the Ngbaka-Minagende, among others. Carving of paired figures is quite well documented among the Ngbaka-Minagende, where such sculptures are said to represent the mythical ancestor Seto and his sister-wife, Nabo. But field-based research cannot confirm the existence of figurative couples among the Ngbandi. Were all such Ngbandi-style couples created by Ngbandi artists for a neighboring Ngbaka-Minagende community or another Ubangi group? Or do they instead refer to a more localized tradition that was never documented by foreign observers? Size: Overall: 45 x 15.5 x 9.2 cm (17 11/16 x 6 1/8 x 3 5/8 in.) Medium: wood, copper, glass beads, iron, fabric

https://clevelandart.org/art/2010.459.1

[gwendolynlerman]

Languages of the world

Sango (yângâ tî sängö)

Basic facts

Number of native speakers: 450,000

Official language: Central African Republic

Language of diaspora: Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo

Script: Latin, 22 letters

Grammatical cases: 0

Linguistic typology: isolating, SVO

Language family: Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, North Volta-Congo, Cameroun-Ubangian, Ubangi, Ngbandi-Mongoba-Kazibati, Ngbandic, Nuclear Ngbandic, Sangoic

Number of dialects: -

History

1800s - Sango is used as lingua franca

1960s - increase in status of the language

1984 - establishment of official orthography

Writing system and pronunciation

These are the letters that make up the alphabet: a b d e f g h i k l m n o p r s t u v w y z.

Sango has three tones: high, mid, and low. In multisyllabic words, all syllables carry a low tone except the final one.

Grammar

Nouns have no gender, two numbers (singular and plural), and no cases. Plural is marked with a proclitic.

Determiners and adjectives precede nouns. There are no possessives, since possession is expressed using prepositions.

Verbs are conjugated for person and number. There are no tenses, moods, and aspects, as these are expressed with distinct morphemes.

Dialects

I have not been able to find information regarding dialectal variations.

[murai5i]

My First Trip to Africa: Sierra Leone, Freetown - Kono

AFRICA

I constantly needed to go to Africa. Like most Afro-Americans, I experienced childhood in a situation adoring everything, Africa. When I arrived, I understand I Knew nothing about Africa. My maternal grandma clarified that everything Africa is ideal. Granny didn't, nonetheless, invest energy trashing the achievements of different societies.

Experiencing childhood in Nicaragua's Latino and dark societies. What's more, for me, there is no separating between these two ethnicities. Latinos are blacks, and dark are Latinos. Be that as it may, this can't for everybody who discovers favor with one gathering.

In Africa, these differentiations will amplify. Making a dreamlike reality where a tip top minority will treat other with aloof. Once in a while generalization can clarify things If it was simple as highly contrasting. In any case, things are only from time to time dark or white.

Generalizations

The typical generalization can't clarify Africa's ethnic contrasts; most society's look dim to me, however they're contrasts; contrasts that return for quite a long time. The Sierra Leoneans asked me frequently, "are you Nigerian," "American" or "Hausa," those typically came up. Boss Morsay characterized Biko and me as "white." He disclosed to us that we are outsiders simply like individuals with white skin. His forefinger was scouring the highest point of his hand for accentuation. At the point when Afro-Americans do this in a discussion, we realize that it's a hindrance similar to "Whites Only." "No doubt about it," he said. In Africa, it is important where you originate from, or from what side of the stream; on account of the Congo's Bushong and the Lele ethnic gathering; what side of the waterway has any kind of effect socially strategically and monetarily.

Yet, none of that was at the forefront of my thoughts. I was eager to go to Africa. Identifying with my grandma's Afrocentric convictions; I needed to see with my own eyes the magnificence of the landmass that propelled human advancement and everything that makes us lovely: The melanin, the bends, mood, the nourishment Loose Diamonds. A rundown of protection instrument, my confidence used to battle the consistent flood of American bigot publicity, where everything is about shading, and dark is the shade that blacks out all hues.

Prejudice

Thusly, prejudice is the focal point through which most Afro-Americans see the world. It is anything but a contorting focal point; generally, the focal point is precise; albeit constraining. Concentrating just on the one view. In our current reality where individuals discover heap of approaches to isolate each other, bigotry makes this division conceivable.

Obviously the Belgians of King Leopold II acted in the most supremacist, cruel path towards the individuals of the Congo. In any case Mobutu Sese Seko of the Ngbandi ethnic gathering captured Patrice Lumumba of the Tetela ethnic gathering. I don't imagine that ethnicity was the reason for Mobutu Sese Seko offense towards Lumumba. Thomas Sankara and Blaise Compaoré, both are from the Mossi ethnic gathering of Burkina Faso. Be that as it may, much the same as King Leopold II, ravenousness was the explanation behind Mobutu's bad form towards Patrice Lumumba and the obliteration of innumerable Congolese lives. Compaoré did likewise in Burkina Faso making sure about benefits for a decision minority; keeping power to the detriment of Thomas Sankara and the individuals of Burkina Faso. Utilizing debasement, seizure even remote help to look after force. With no state to reply to, these men were the same than King Leopold II in the uncaring treatment of their compatriots.

In Sierra Leone, the (RUF) will actualize the equivalent, cutting off appendages and promotion orderly assault and murder; scattering thousands and oppressing the populace to separate precious stones for their own riches.

Destitution

Be that as it may, neediness is a relative thing. Having experienced childhood in the Caribbean and Latin America. I was familiar with third world reality. Yet, none of this readied me for Africa.

THE TRIP

The volume on discussions goes up the closer you get to the African takeoff relax. Things are immediate. Chuckling reinforced; the sucking of the teeth is noisy, the grins huge.

The plane arrived in Lungi International air terminal to an incredible melody of cheers and commendations. Like a Hollywood liberation scene, Africans are cheerful and thankful to be home. You can feel their fervor. I excessively was energized, to welcome the African air. Venturing out of the plane, I found the stickiness natural. What was extraordinary, was to investigate a group and seeing one shade of dark individuals. I made an effort not to look astounded; I imagine I've been here previously. The Africans saw me like on the off chance that I've been here before as well.

The landing area and runway are gigantic, similar to all air terminals. In any case, at Lungi you don't see the transports, trucks or the strolling burrow shielding you from severe climate. Everything is open and wide as the sky. I didn't see business planes or business airplane; simply void landing area with a far away blue-green woods skyline without any structures in sight.

Strolling into the slight migration building was an amazement, no groups! I thought this unusual for a worldwide air terminal. By one way or another, I figured they may be corresponding flights to the next piece of Africa. Just the individuals who will load up on a similar plane in course to Liberia. Immediately as you enter the structure, you see some old design desk areas with present day unique mark acknowledgment machines. Movement officials were simple and fast. They request visa and yellow immunization card. Welcome to Sierra Leone!

The individuals of Sierra Leone are cordial; they are liberal with their usual range of familiarity. They welcome you, contact you delicately with a typical custom.

Hanging tight for our baggage, I was pulled in to two enormous, great, standing wooden figures. Two activity figures cut from a solitary tree trunk. Nobody paid these any brain. They stroll by them like disturbance African gift. I constantly valued the tender loving care of African craftsmanship; there is a thought for the watcher, the wearer, and treatment of antiquities. This relationship of inviting aesthetically with move, surface, nourishment and hues was for me African expressions usefulness.

Albeit exceptionally amazing, I didn't know at that point; those two wooden models will speak to the zenith of my African aesthetic impression.

Leaving the air terminal, we see a sign with our names. Our host Chernor, we call him Cherry, orchestrate to have Lamin welcome us and mastermind the transport tickets that will take us to the sea shore and the ship to Freetown. Lamin works for an organization that helps explorers to Sierra Leonne. Having somebody on the ground that speaks, Krio was quieting. Krio is a superior haggling language; trading cash is forceful, a few notes have inclinations. So there's space for sparing in the event that you can deal in Krio.

Outside, they're youngsters selling transport tickets alongside Sim Cards. They're serious, however not pushy. There's heaps of money in sight persistently trading hands. We hang tight for the cool smaller than normal transports to load up with travelers. The ship can't away, about a mile. Be that as it may, it takes around ten minutes drive to arrive. The street isn't right; I believed this being the route to the air terminal it may be in better consideration, yet no. It was only the asking of the numerous instances of disregard and defilement that the individuals of Sierra Leone live with everyday.

The sea shore is enormous and clean; I notice this on the grounds that wherever else is by all accounts litter with garbage. I see some humble hurriedly built shanties. I was searching for beautiful angling vessels yet didn't perceive any. They're little kids, playing with torn and messy western garments. They paid us no psyche. As of now the little wharf was brimming with the traveler from the plane, sitting tight for the ship; baggage and individuals under a wooden cottage, with an equipped watchman. We hung tight for a few hours. It will be nightfall before they called our numbered tickets, the little ship made a few outings moving us securely to Freetown.

The vessel ride takes not exactly an hour to cross the ocean estuary showing up in Freetown around evening time. The view was dull with no recognizing highlights to see. Inside, our host Cherry and his driver Mohamed are there pausing. They selected us from the group preceding anybody offers to help. Lamin had sent photographs. Cherry ensured that Mohamed gets our gear. Cherry welcomed us with a major grin, shimmering eyes, on a splendid round well disposed face. He promptly got some information about the flight and are we hungry. He said he has cook nourishment home, "it may be unreasonably zesty for us," he said. So in the event that we like, we can go out to get some nourishment. We settle on the fiery nourishment; it was late for our jetlag bodies to go out. The lanes in Freetown, at evening, are stuck pressed with merchants selling everything. None of it looks engaging me. Freetown simply doesn't look clean. What's more, this is an amazement. A Big amazement!

We left the wharf on a two-path cleared street lit with periodic road lights. Mohamed is centered around his assignment while Cherry does the talking. I'm happy he is. The street continues becoming busy the closer you reach town. They're heaps of little kids out selling stuff, anything. I see loads of prepare great and organic products. Everything looks lease. Things feel weird, chronologically misguided, somewhat strange, as in the event that I've gone back in time. The individuals don't appear to be stressed over the traffic. The road is buzzing with African music. Also, the individuals are simply moving with reason in what appears to be a clamorous request.

GODRICH

We travel on cleared streets as far as possible up to College Road in Godrich. At that point we turn right. Also, Mohamed eases back to a slither; the street now unpaved turns into a progression of slopes and gorges gradually paving the way to the following turns, similar to the transport ride from Lungi to the sea shore. There will be more minutes like this. Mohamed is making an effort not to have the base of the vehicle delay a slope, persistently he turns. Like in the event that he has done this bunches of time.

CHERNOR'S HOME

The vehicle ground to a halt at an enormous metal entryway, around 10 feet high. Encompassed by fencing similarly as high with broken containers established on the top. We're three turns off the primary street, a portion of the houses have this hindrance. A ton don't; a few houses are simply boxes of cor

[omgthatdress]

Sword

Poto, Democratic Republic of the Congo, late 19th century-early 20th century

National Museum of African Art

“While generally attributed in the literature to the Poto peoples, this type of sword with its hide wrapped pommel and broad split blade was found among several neighboring peoples along the upper Congo River, including the Ngombe and the Ngbandi peoples. It was routinely carried by men. The hide pommels contained protective herbal medicines and, although not now retaining visible fur, would have been made of civet cat or leopard. These felines were clever predators, and their fur was prized as emblems of status and high rank.”

[aic-african]

Bottle, Ngbandi, 1901, Art Institute of Chicago: Arts of Africa

The Uele River lies north of the Congo River and intersects with it by way of the Ubangi. Here dense forest gradually gives way to more open savanna, granting farmers access to rich resources for making ironwork and pottery, which they have exploited since at least 2300 B.C. The homeland of the Yacoma people lies near the confluence of the Uele and Ubangi rivers, and they have taken advantage of this locale by actively engaging in river trade, which flourished in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and included fine pottery. The artistry of this bottle lies in its well-honed angles, each accentuated by textured embellishment. These sharp shifts seem to defy the medium of clay, which more naturally accommodates gentle transitions and rounded forms. Complementing its crisp shape, the highly burnished surface stands in high contrast to the red and white pigments that were rubbed into its stippled bands and triangles. Yacoma potters have explored variations on this theme, as other published examples readily demonstrate. Gift of Keith Achepohl Size: 27.9 × 20.3 cm (11 × 8 in.) Medium: Terracotta and pigment

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/184632/

[harlemworldmagazine]

Ngbandi Mask Animal With Horns Incredible Congo African Art

Ngbandi Mask Animal With Horns Incredible Congo African Art

An outstanding zoomorphic mask attributed to the Ngbandi athough it comes from an area where a number of different groups live within close proximity of the Ubangi-Lualaba Rivers where culture, language, political and religious structures are shared which influences their arts. (more…)