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The Ndunga Project
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The Ndunga Project
Some years ago I was commissioned to create “The Ndunga” for the Museum of African Art. As I watched audiences come into the area of this masquerade, most in awe, some curious, most people usually sat in front of it peacefully in an almost meditative mood. The idea of creating many Ndungas as a vehicle of healing on a personal and global level came to me.
The tradition of African masquerade is used for many purposes one of which is healing. The Ndunga Project is based on “Ndunga” the Congolese masquerade that appears in ceremonies to warn the villagers of injustices against themselves or towards others. The word “Ndunga” loosely translates to “Justifier” in English, pronounced N-dunga. My use of the “Ndunga” combined with various, “human” healers in a westernized setting gives the audience a chance, an open channel to express in a communal, yet private way their solutions in situations that they may feel helpless. In all, this is a search for common ground to multi-national human infidelities encompassed in the African tradition of masquerade for the purpose of healing.
I plan to construct and install 10 Ndungas together in one location or in a few semi-private/public venues. Each Ndungas will be 12 feet tall, 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep (size could be adjusted) made out of dried banana leaves, whose mask is a semblance of an ancestor who spent a great portion of their lives dedicated to fighting injustices to humanity. The saddened, worn face will be made of copper. Each ancestor will be “guardian” for a geographical area in the world that is perpetuating atrocities against themselves or others. For example: Mother Teresa or Harriet Tubman could be the ancestral guardian of the approximately 2000 women per year killed in Guatemala since the peace treaty in 1966. A situation treated with little investigation, no punishment and plenty of neglect.
An electric votive light stand (similar to dedication candles in a church or shrine) will be placed in front of each “Ndunga” that visitors can “click” on as they make dedication healings of their own. Visitors will also have the opportunity to deposit their own healing words for a troubled area of their choice into a clear, slotted box. A small pad with a pen will be attached to each box. At the end of the exhibition these written dedications will be designed into a collage by another artist in a yet to be designated location. The goal is to have “Ndunga” ready for installation on International Peace Day 2009.
Through collaborating individuals and organizations this “Ndunga movement” will be manifested. Part of the collaborative outreach will be the members of Harlem Arts Alliance participation in a survey for their opinions on troubled areas and guardian ancestors. This project could easily be used for opening up dialogues and arts and education workshops on social justice and service in multi-cultural, inter-generation, interfaith communities.
Sandra A. M. Bell
Artist and Artisitic Director
364 files, last one added on Sep 25, 2009
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