Exploring African Art and Cultural Relics: A Historical Quiz

1. What is the name of the mask worn by the chief during Mukanda ceremonies in Eastern Pende culture?

Mbembo

20th c.

DRC

2. What does the Kuba Ngady a Mwaash represent?

Children's cultural role

Elder's cultural role

Men's cultural role

The Kuba Ngady a Mwaash represents the cultural role of women within the Kuba society, as created by the Kuba queen to symbolize the suffering of women.

Explanation

The Kuba Ngady a Mwaash represents the cultural role of women within the Kuba society, as created by the Kuba queen to symbolize the suffering of women.

3. What is the name of the mask that represents the king as an elephant in the 19th-20th century DRC?

Goma

Lubumbashi

Kananga

The Mukenga (Mwaash a Mbooy) mask represents the king as an elephant and is used at funeral dances of royal family members in the DRC, symbolizing wealth and power.

Explanation

The Mukenga (Mwaash a Mbooy) mask represents the king as an elephant and is used at funeral dances of royal family members in the DRC, symbolizing wealth and power.

4. What is the oldest Mbuyu mask representing ancestors, perched on the top of a head like a baseball hat?

DRC

20th c.

Giwoyo mask (Mbuya)

The correct answer refers to the oldest Mbuyu mask representing ancestors as perched on top of a head like a baseball hat.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to the oldest Mbuyu mask representing ancestors as perched on top of a head like a baseball hat.

5. What is the name of the mask that is meant to represent characters related to origin myths and is worn by the king during installation?

Kuba

DRC

Mixed media

The correct name of the mask meant to represent characters related to origin myths is 'Mwaash a Mbooy'. It is worn by the king during installation and is meant to represent the first human, Woot.

Explanation

The correct name of the mask meant to represent characters related to origin myths is 'Mwaash a Mbooy'. It is worn by the king during installation and is meant to represent the first human, Woot.

6. What was the most time consuming and prestigious type of raffia cloth known as?

DRC

19th-20th c.

Female artists

The correct answer is Cut-Pile cloth, which was the most time consuming and prestigious type of raffia cloth, known for its intricate designs and high status. It was worn during ceremonies and court funerals.

Explanation

The correct answer is Cut-Pile cloth, which was the most time consuming and prestigious type of raffia cloth, known for its intricate designs and high status. It was worn during ceremonies and court funerals.

7. What type of fabric is traditionally woven by men and embroidered by women in the DRC during the 19th-20th century?

Kuba

Male and Female artists

DRC

8. What type of cloth was known to be the 'cloth of the ancestors,' made from bark fiber, raffia, and pigment in the 19th century in the DRC?

Silk fabric

Denim fabric

Polyester blend textile

The correct answer refers to bark cloth made by pounding inner bark and sewing it together, representing ancestral patterns and motifs.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to bark cloth made by pounding inner bark and sewing it together, representing ancestral patterns and motifs.

9. What is the significance of the Prestige Cup made for palm wine for royalty?

DRC

Kuba

Blacksmith

The Prestige Cup was specifically designed to serve palm wine for royalty, incorporating royal symbolism and cultural significance.

Explanation

The Prestige Cup was specifically designed to serve palm wine for royalty, incorporating royal symbolism and cultural significance.

10. What is the cultural significance and purpose of the Mbangu mask (Mbuya) from DRC made in the 20th century?

Eastern Pende and Ngandu People

South African Zulu tribe

Ethnic groups from Sudan and Ethiopia

The Mbangu mask (Mbuya) from DRC made in the 20th century is culturally significant for the Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo. It is used as a representation of someone who was damaged by sorcery as a moral lesson, depicting the effects of using sorcery oneself. The mask can also serve as an amulet to protect against envy, highlighting the connection between exterior and interior states.

Explanation

The Mbangu mask (Mbuya) from DRC made in the 20th century is culturally significant for the Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo. It is used as a representation of someone who was damaged by sorcery as a moral lesson, depicting the effects of using sorcery oneself. The mask can also serve as an amulet to protect against envy, highlighting the connection between exterior and interior states.

11. What type of mask is the Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo mask (Mbuya) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Tribal

Ceremonial

Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo Fumu or Pumbu mask (Mbuya) DRC 20th c. Wood, pigment, fiber

Metal

The Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo mask is a specific type known as the Fumu or Pumbu mask (Mbuya), made of wood, pigment, and fiber.

Explanation

The Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo mask is a specific type known as the Fumu or Pumbu mask (Mbuya), made of wood, pigment, and fiber.

12. What culture does the Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo Minganji masqueraders belong to?

Eastern Kuba

Southern Luba

Northern Songye

The Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo Minganji masqueraders belong to the Central / Western Pende culture in the DRC in the 20th century. They are made of wood, fiber, pigment and represent ancestral spirits, death, and uncertainty.

Explanation

The Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo Minganji masqueraders belong to the Central / Western Pende culture in the DRC in the 20th century. They are made of wood, fiber, pigment and represent ancestral spirits, death, and uncertainty.

13. What is the name of the wood carver who created the Reliquary guardian in Gabon in the 19th century?

Nlo Bieri

Gabon

Fang

The correct answer is Mbobeyima as it is the name of the specific wood carver who created the Reliquary guardian in Gabon in the 19th century.

Explanation

The correct answer is Mbobeyima as it is the name of the specific wood carver who created the Reliquary guardian in Gabon in the 19th century.

14. What is the name of the non-threatening male elder mask used during Mukanda ceremonies in the DRC?

20th c.

Eastern Pende

Mbembo

The Kipoko mask is known for its wise appearance and is used during Mukanda ceremonies in the DRC.

Explanation

The Kipoko mask is known for its wise appearance and is used during Mukanda ceremonies in the DRC.

15. What is the significance of the Pumbu mask in Eastern Pende culture?

A ceremonial mask worn during celebration dances.

Used for protection against evil spirits and bad luck.

A symbol of peace and harmony within the community.

The Pumbu mask is a symbol of chief's power and is known as the executioner mask in Eastern Pende culture. It represents anger, aggression, ancestral power, death, and is only used in grave occasions for divination.

Explanation

The Pumbu mask is a symbol of chief's power and is known as the executioner mask in Eastern Pende culture. It represents anger, aggression, ancestral power, death, and is only used in grave occasions for divination.

16. Who is the traditional protector of children and mothers associated with females, shown holding Jesus with African features and a royal fly whisk representing a Kongo king?

Nganga

Toni Malau

DRC

The correct answer is Kongo as the art piece focuses on St. Anthony of Padua who was a traditional protector of children and mothers associated with females, shown holding Jesus with African features and a royal fly whisk representing a Kongo king.

Explanation

The correct answer is Kongo as the art piece focuses on St. Anthony of Padua who was a traditional protector of children and mothers associated with females, shown holding Jesus with African features and a royal fly whisk representing a Kongo king.

17. What materials were traditionally used to make crucifixes in the Kongo culture from the 16th-18th century?

16th-18th c.

DRC

Nganga (and blacksmith)

The crucifixes in the Kongo culture were typically made of brass during the 16th-18th century, not Nganga (and blacksmith), DRC, or specific time period.

Explanation

The crucifixes in the Kongo culture were typically made of brass during the 16th-18th century, not Nganga (and blacksmith), DRC, or specific time period.

18. What is the name of the spiritual object made in the 19th century from wood, iron, and mixed media in the DRC, used to harness the powers of spirits and deflect malevolent forces?

Kongo

Nganga

Kaolin clay

The correct answer is Nkisi Nkondi. This spiritual object is made with wood, iron, and mixed media and is used to harness the powers of spirits and deflect malevolent forces in the DRC. It is not made with kaolin clay like one of the incorrect answers.

Explanation

The correct answer is Nkisi Nkondi. This spiritual object is made with wood, iron, and mixed media and is used to harness the powers of spirits and deflect malevolent forces in the DRC. It is not made with kaolin clay like one of the incorrect answers.

19. What is the name of the ceremonial object made for the most powerful and famous leaders, a larger than life smoke dried body wrapped in raffia and covered in red cloth to symbolize power and chieftaincy?

DRC

Niombo

Nganga

The Bwende (Kongo) is a ceremonial object made for powerful and famous leaders, consisting of a larger than life smoke dried body wrapped in raffia and covered in red cloth to symbolize power and chieftaincy.

Explanation

The Bwende (Kongo) is a ceremonial object made for powerful and famous leaders, consisting of a larger than life smoke dried body wrapped in raffia and covered in red cloth to symbolize power and chieftaincy.

20. What African ceremonial object can be interpreted as a mannequin and is used to place the bones of deceased important ancestors?

Maasai Lion Mask

Yoruba Ibeji Twins

Zulu Warrior Shield

The Bembe (Kongo) Nganga is a ceremonial object made of cane, dried leaves, reliquary bones, cloth, and pigment. It is used to house the bones of important ancestors and is kept in a grave house for settling difficult matters.

Explanation

The Bembe (Kongo) Nganga is a ceremonial object made of cane, dried leaves, reliquary bones, cloth, and pigment. It is used to house the bones of important ancestors and is kept in a grave house for settling difficult matters.

21. What is the name of the leaf-shaped reliquary designed to protect and benefit the families that own them?

19th c.

Gabon

Bweti

The Hongwe relic is known for its features and the role it plays in funeral rites.

Explanation

The Hongwe relic is known for its features and the role it plays in funeral rites.

22. What cultural practice became more popular when Mbulu Ngulu became outlawed?

Gabon

19th c.

Kota

When Mbulu Ngulu became outlawed, Bwiti, known for its more figural representation, became more popular due to its smaller size.

Explanation

When Mbulu Ngulu became outlawed, Bwiti, known for its more figural representation, became more popular due to its smaller size.

23. What is the purpose of the Diamond shaped image of the spirit of the death, meant to be a mediator between the living and the death as well as a guardian that protects relics from witchcraft?

Gabon

19th c.

Mbulu Ngulu

The Diamond shaped image known as Kota is used for various purposes as a mediator and guardian.

Explanation

The Diamond shaped image known as Kota is used for various purposes as a mediator and guardian.

Exploring African Art and Cultural Relics: A Historical Quiz

1. What is the name of the mask worn by the chief during Mukanda ceremonies in Eastern Pende culture?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. What does the Kuba Ngady a Mwaash represent?

3. What is the name of the mask that represents the king as an elephant in the 19th-20th century DRC?

4. What is the oldest Mbuyu mask representing ancestors, perched on the top of a head like a baseball hat?

5. What is the name of the mask that is meant to represent characters related to origin myths and is worn by the king during installation?

6. What was the most time consuming and prestigious type of raffia cloth known as?

7. What type of fabric is traditionally woven by men and embroidered by women in the DRC during the 19th-20th century?

8. What type of cloth was known to be the 'cloth of the ancestors,' made from bark fiber, raffia, and pigment in the 19th century in the DRC?

9. What is the significance of the Prestige Cup made for palm wine for royalty?

10. What is the cultural significance and purpose of the Mbangu mask (Mbuya) from DRC made in the 20th century?

11. What type of mask is the Central / Western Pende Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo mask (Mbuya) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

12. What culture does the Mbembo and Nganga Ngombo Minganji masqueraders belong to?

13. What is the name of the wood carver who created the Reliquary guardian in Gabon in the 19th century?

14. What is the name of the non-threatening male elder mask used during Mukanda ceremonies in the DRC?

15. What is the significance of the Pumbu mask in Eastern Pende culture?

16. Who is the traditional protector of children and mothers associated with females, shown holding Jesus with African features and a royal fly whisk representing a Kongo king?

17. What materials were traditionally used to make crucifixes in the Kongo culture from the 16th-18th century?

18. What is the name of the spiritual object made in the 19th century from wood, iron, and mixed media in the DRC, used to harness the powers of spirits and deflect malevolent forces?

19. What is the name of the ceremonial object made for the most powerful and famous leaders, a larger than life smoke dried body wrapped in raffia and covered in red cloth to symbolize power and chieftaincy?

20. What African ceremonial object can be interpreted as a mannequin and is used to place the bones of deceased important ancestors?

21. What is the name of the leaf-shaped reliquary designed to protect and benefit the families that own them?

22. What cultural practice became more popular when Mbulu Ngulu became outlawed?

23. What is the purpose of the Diamond shaped image of the spirit of the death, meant to be a mediator between the living and the death as well as a guardian that protects relics from witchcraft?