Keeping the Past Alive: an exhibition coproduced with Congo Great Lake Initiative

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It is still time to come and visit our Autumn-winter exhibition which is on display in UCL Ethnography Foyer.
Entitled Keeping the past alive, this exhibition reflects the stories that Congolese community members share as and how they interact with objects, either personal, provocative or relational. It is divided into three topics: traditional power objects, sacred rituals and medicine, and everyday life. The objects on display tell stories, sometimes with a metaphor of their own, which will, we hope, make visitors internalize and discuss the messages they bring.
This exhibition is the final step of our collaboration with Congo Great Lakes which started one year ago. During the project, an interactive platform which can host online exhibitions has been developed. The platform collects archives and documentation and shares the data with Horniman and UCL Congolese collections and members of CGLI. The exhibition Keeping the Past alive is also available on this platform


Ceremonial hat Democratic Republic of Congo, Pende people Raffia fibres, beads 2nd half of the 20th century Congo Great Lakes Initiative Collection Called Mpu in Kikongo or Ekoti in Lingala, this type of hat was originally made of natural beads, and some still are. It is worn by traditional chiefs on special occasions. It is said to transmit magical power to the chief by helping him to communicate with the spirits and ancestors. Only initiated men are allowed to touch this hat. It is totally forbidden for women to be in contact with it. Its specific shape evokes the eyes the chief is supposed to have on his forehead and at the back of his head, as proof of his connection with the sky. The horns remind his strength.

Ceremonial hat
Democratic Republic of Congo, Pende people
Raffia fibres, beads
2nd half of the 20th century
Congo Great Lakes Initiative Collection
Called Mpu in Kikongo or Ekoti in Lingala, this type of hat was originally made of natural beads, and some still are. It is worn by traditional chiefs on special occasions. It is said to transmit magical power to the chief by helping him to communicate with the spirits and ancestors. Only initiated men are allowed to touch this hat. It is totally forbidden for women to be in contact with it. Its specific shape evokes the eyes the chief is supposed to have on his forehead and at the back of his head, as proof of his connection with the sky. The horns remind his strength.



Combs  Democratic Republic of Congo, Mbala, Yaka and Mayombe peoples Wood 19th and first half of 20th century UCL Ethnography Collection, P.0004, P.0007, P.0009, P.0014 Those five wooden combs from Central Africa are decorated with carved handles featuring stylised human forms and a figure of a dog. One of the combs in the form of a dog is smaller in stature, possibly intended for a child. While two of the combs appear to represent indigenous figures with highly stylised facial features, the characteristics of the other two human figures, prominent square ears, retroussé nose and distinctive hats, even if they remind European figures, are just the typical expression of the Yaka works of arts.

Combs
Democratic Republic of Congo, Mbala, Yaka and Mayombe peoples
Wood
19th and first half of 20th century
UCL Ethnography Collection, P.0004, P.0007, P.0009, P.0014
Those five wooden combs from Central Africa are decorated with carved handles featuring stylised human forms and a figure of a dog. One of the combs in the form of a dog is smaller in stature, possibly intended for a child. While two of the combs appear to represent indigenous figures with highly stylised facial features, the characteristics of the other two human figures, prominent square ears, retroussé nose and distinctive hats, even if they remind European figures, are just the typical expression of the Yaka works of arts.



Representants of Congo Great Lakes Initiative and Heritage Lottery Fund during the openning of the exhibition.

Representants of Congo Great Lakes Initiative and Heritage Lottery Fund during the openning of the exhibition.



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