Smithsonian Libraries African Art Index Project DSI Search this
Type:
Articles
Date:
1938
Notes:
Illustrations.
The first part of these notes states that certain writers have drawn attention to the symbolic value of African art. The author regards iron or copper ceremonial knives from the region of Banana symbolically. She describes the ceremonial knife of Malemba, chief of Tshimbanza, and "reads" it as having certain meanings. The second part of these notes discusses how to conserve African art and keep it from disappearing from its traditional milieu. The author suggests inventorying the insignia of chiefs, and giving the chiefs a certificate saying that the holder of the objects should not give them up without first telling the lowest level colonial official ("chef de poste") of Banana.
