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Lecture Series w/ Patrick Gorham

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The Sacred Bala Ba of Maniselia

Description: In February 2011, while documenting various Malinke cultural traditions of the Tokonou region of southern Guinea, the AfricaWrites team discovered the existence of the sacred Bala Ba and began work to document its history and ancient origin.

The sacred Bala Ba of Maniselia is a Malinke traditional instrument of spiritual and historical significance. Created in the 1500’s by the descendents of Ballafasseke Kouyate, the sacred Bala Ba of Maniselia was passed through secession to each new generation by select members of the Kouyate family. From the late sixteenth century through the early nineteenth century, the sacred Bala Ba was utilized in praise of elite farming masters, hunters, blacksmiths and powerful chiefs of the region.

Rarely does an item of such significance survive centuries in Africa, let alone understanding and knowing the history of this item. Join us as Mr. Gorham highlights the origins of this mystical and important cultural instrument, its sacredness and the associated ceremonies and events leading to Bala Ba’s arrival in Maniselia since its creation in Niagassola centuries ago. This lecture will also explore the relationship between the powerful first Konkoba mask entity of pre-colonial Guinea and the sacred Bala Ba of Maniselia.

Mr. Gorham is a researcher, writer, photographer and published member of the Northeastern Anthropology Association and director of the African anthropology cultural research team, AfricaWrites

Member Ticket price:

No Charge

Guest Ticket Price:

$20

Student Ticket Price:

$5 w/ ID

Reservation Notes:

Payment must accompany reservation. Tickets are secured only when a credit card is provided at the time the reservation is made. Reservations made without a credit card are not secured and tickets will be forfeited by 6:50pm the evening of the lecture.

Reservations are suggested on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 212-628-8383, Fax 212-228-4449, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)