Customer Reviews

Chokwe!: Art and Initiation Among Chokwe and Related Peoples

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chokwe! Art and Initian Among Chokwe and Related Peoples, is a stunning accomplishment! This exhibition catalogue shows some of the finest works of Angolan art by the Chokwe people. Significant, because much of what is in this book has been selected from not only museum collections but from top notch private ones as well. the one hundred fifty pieces selected include Royal Art (figures of chiefs) origins that can be traced back to the Luna migrations of the 16th century, Weapons, Snuff mortars, Whistles with bird figures and figurative heads, Masks of female ancestors, Divination baskets, Headrests and other magnificant pieces. Prestel has created a lavishly illustrated volume with excellent historical, religious and cultural insights. This book is a must for anyone who loves African Art!

This is the most complete book which I found about Chokwe tribe until now. The book concerns the Chokwe customs not only in Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, but also in Zambia. Then - many precious pages are dedicated to the Holo, Lwena, Lunda, Mbagani and Ovimbudu tribes too, which little is known and it's very difficult to find informations about. 154 colour and b/w plates include masks, royal thrones, combs, headrests, pipes, stools, statuettes, whistles, divination baskets, scepters, ceramic figures, axes, etc, most of them appearing for the first time on these pages. Other very interesting images of people, dances and rites are included. I'm giving 4/5 just because of some of the plate pictures are in black and white, even if this is a 5/5 very recommended book. A hundred times better than "Chokwe - Visions of Africa Series" by Boris Wastiau.