The William R. and Clarice V. Spurlock Museum at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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The Faletti Family Collection of West African Cultural Artifacts

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Guru Zamble Society Head Crest

Since 1983, Richard and Barbara Faletti have donated over 150 cultural artifacts to the Spurlock Museum. The cultural items seen below highlight a few artifacts from the family's diverse collection that will be on view in the museum's African gallery.

Double Maternity Figure

Motherhood is both a woman's duty and her chief virtue in traditional African societies. Adult women help each other care for the children, and a woman with many children is highly respected. Late 19th c. - early 20th c. CE, wood

Oshe Shango Dance Wand

This carving of a standing female figure with facial scarifications bears an emblem representing Shango, the Thunder God. 20th c.

Igbo Face Mask

Igbo Mmwo Society (Agboho Mmwo) Mask

This mask is also known as a Maiden Spirit Mask, although it was danced by males. Hair setting would require days during which the woman would have to sleep with her head elevated by a neck rest. 20th c. CE, wood, pigment -

Yoruba Crown from Nigeria

Ibeji Female Figure

Yoruba Ibeji Male Twin Figure from Nigeria

Beaded crowns are important symbols of Yoruba kingship. The faces are said to represent Ododuwa, the master of all Yoruba kings, or Olokun, the god of the sea. 20th c., glass, cotton.

20th c. CE, wood, pigment

Ibeji figures are created as a permanent home for the soul of deceased twins. Twins are considered to be children of the thunder god Shango, and thus may bring either good or bad fortune. 20th c. wood, glass,

Yoruba Egungun Mask

Baule Standing Votive Figure

Grotesque and often surrealistic in conception, Engungun masks, such as this large head surmounted by a turtle, are used mainly at funerals of members of the cult and represent deceased members of the family. 20th c. CE wood, pigment - stain.

Baule figural sculpture, such as this female figure, generally depicts two kinds of spirits: nature spirits and spirit spouses. wood, glass.

Yoruba Diviner's Bag

These bags carry the implements used by the Shango priests for divination purposes. 20th c. CE, glass textile

Most of the artifacts in Collection Highlights articles are chosen to allow website visitors to explore artifacts that are not on display in the Museum's galleries. Try searching the database or exploring the Virtual Tour to find artifacts on display.