Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

"Togu na and Cheko Change and Continuity in the Art of Mali" video, EEPA 1989-030, 1989

Summary

Collection ID:
EEPA.1989-030
Creators:
National Museum of African Art (U.S.)
Dates:
1989
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Video recording
(28:00 min.)
sound, color
Repository:
Container:
6
The videorecording "Togu na and Check: Change and Continuity in the Art of Mali", which documents two forms of art of the Dogon and Bamana peoples in Mali, West Africa, in 1989.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The videorecording "Togu na and Check: Change and Continuity in the Art of Mali", which documents two forms of art of the Dogon and Bamana peoples in Mali, West Africa, in 1989. Accompanying text describes that the film "explores two forms of art in present-day Mali, West Africa. For the Dogon peoples, the meeting house, or toguna, is the centerpiece of each village. Men gather to discuss matters involving the entire community. Its massive millet-stalk roof is supported by columns masterfully sculpted with figures in high relief. The Bamana peoples have developed a unique form of communal theater, called cheko. The principal actors in cheko performances are colorful, animated puppets. Some of these puppets are small enough to be manipulated by hand. Others tower above the rooftops of the village and require two or more people to move them. These fascinating Dogon and Bamana works of art depict both traditional and contemporary themes. They vividly show how art continues to evolve in Africa today."

Administration

Author
Paul Wood
Custodial History note
Videorecording produced by Staniski Media Resources for use by the National Museum of African Art in its exhibition entitled, "Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa," which was held at the Museum from October 25, 1989 to September 3, 1990.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Conditions Governing Access note
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Africa Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Dogon (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bamana (African people) Cultural Context Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
elisofonarchives@si.edu