A Ceremonial Vessel

(Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel, 19-20 century, Grassfields region, Cameroon)

Many cultures from around the world, have their own ceremonial items, most have ceremonial vessels for any type of wine, or drink. This ceremonious vessel was created from a Calabash. A fruit that comes from a Calabash tree grown in parts of Africa, the Calabash fruit becomes a vessel after it has been gutted. A hard shell is left behind and becomes the vessel that is decorated in beads. These were made specifically for a chiefs use only. This vessel contains Palm Wine for ceremonial occasions.


This container was used for rituals where the Palm Wine reinforced a chief's spiritual and political power (smarthistory.org) as well as an offering to ancestors. This object is such an important item, lots of intricate detail had to be added, where all the beads and their orientation represent important values. The three heads at the top signify all-seeing powers. The part underneath shows royal power. On the base of the vessel, there are circular patterns, that refer to the earth spider. A symbol of supernatural wisdom and communication (smarthistory.org). Where the earth spider would unit people who live above ground, with those buried below. Whereas diamond-shaped designs represent frogs. The symbol of fertility and increase (smarthistory.org). This vessel served a great purpose for those who used it and was created and protected with such care that it has survived for this long. 



"Calabash Tree." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. Accessed October 31, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/plant/calabash-tree/.

Dr. Christa Clarke, "Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel (Cameroon Grasslands peoples)," in Smarthistory, October 10, 2016, accessed October 28, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/palm-wine-vessel/. 


Comments

  1. Lily EdgingtonNovember 1, 2020 at 10:55 PM

    Hi David! I really enjoyed reading your post and I think you did such a great job! It was so interesting to me that this vessel was made with fruit like that is so crazy!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Xaiyne Calma-ViloriaNovember 1, 2020 at 11:21 PM

    I can see how African Art can be seen as “lacking in its time,” but I don’t necessarily believe that myself. African art, to me, is still very traditionally revolved and they make their art with genuine reason. Everything has a purpose, like this ceremonial vessel. It isn’t a generic painting on a canvas or a work of art solely dependent on sending its message.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeremy VelascoNovember 2, 2020 at 9:27 AM

    From first glance it looks like this ceremonial vessel is some sort of vase or clay working. I am absolutely shocked to find out that this vessel was made from the Calabash fruit. I find that extremely intelligent for this time period. I agree with Xaiyne who says African Art can be seen as "lacking" I find this to be extremely traditional and a great representation of the culture during this time period.

    ReplyDelete

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