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Ngoni Player

19th–20th century

Not on view

Among the secondary protagonists in Jo sculptural ensembles are figures who honor the heroic stature and feats of the nurturing mother, Gwandansu, and her authoritative male counterpart, Gwantigi. Musicians were among the retinue of attendants portrayed showing deference to them through the performance of musical tributes blown on whistles and plucked on lutes.

Ngoni Player, Wood, Bamana peoples — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Ngoni Player, Wood, Bamana peoples

Ngoni Player, Wood, Bamana peoples

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Photo: Hughes Dubois

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Hughes Dubois

Title: Ngoni Player

Date: 19th–20th century

Geography: Mali

Culture: Bamana peoples

Medium: Wood

Dimensions: H. 33 1/4 × W. (approx.) 10 × D. (approx.) 10 in. (84.5 × 25.4 × 25.4 cm)

Classification: Wood-Sculpture

Credit Line: Private collection

The Met

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Met

The Met's collection of art of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America comprises more than eleven thousand works of art of varied materials and types, representing diverse cultural traditions from as early as 3000 B.C.E. to the present.