La korité, éd. 6/8
Bakary Diémé Senegalese
Not on view
La Korité depicts the ʿId al-Fitr festival, a central event in the life of Senegal’s Muslim community marking the end of Ramadan. The tapestry captures a moment of morning prayer, featuring figures dressed in traditional boubous, with one holding prayer beads. Diémé’s stylized figures, characterized by symmetrical round heads and simplified forms, evoke mask forms from Burkina Faso while symbolizing the intersection of Islamic and African traditions. The predominantly green background reflects the color associated with Islam, further emphasizing the theme of religious harmony.
This work exemplifies Diémé’s signature use of decorative motifs and his ability to blend cultural symbols. It complements the Met’s collection by enriching the narrative of African art’s relationship with religious and cultural practices, while showcasing the dynamic fusion of traditional African forms with twentieth-century Modernism.
