“Bambara 2006” expedition

 

Researches were held according to establishment of Ethnologic Researching Programme BAMABARA 2006 in cooperation with the National Museum in Szczecin.

 

PURPOSE

Its purpose was to gather exhibits and continue researches held during last expeditions.

 

AREA OF RESEARCHES

Land of researches were central and south-west part of Mali up to the border with Burkina Faso and area of northern Burkina Faso contiguous to Mali.

 

EXPLORATORY TOPICS

Cultural community of Voltaic people basing on : Bambara, Dogon and Kurumb people.

Changes in their daily life (economy, trade, etc.) under influence of industrial civilisations.

Changes in their cultural life (mainly religious) under influence of Islam and Christianity.

Changes in art (mask, sculpture) under influence of European taste (tourists) and Islam.

People’s migration – their direction and its causes.

 

PROCESS OF RESEARCHES

Researches were held in region Segou – Markala over Niger (Mali), where we observed functioning of puppets in contemporary society (manner of making and keeping puppets, organization of puppetry and masks festival).

Next phase of researches was Djenne town, which is situated over Bani river (Niger creek) in Mali. In one of the biggest clay towns (here are the most of multistorey  buildings made of non-bake clay) changes under influence of touristic movement and technological development were registered.

In Djenne we rented off-road vehicle to get to Dogon’s land, where we continued (already held for years) researches concerning changes in Dogon people’s culture.

Especially interesting interviews had place in complex of Yougo villages, which are placed on rocks distant for dozen kilometers from the actual Falez Bandiagara.

 

The last phase of researches was in Kurumb’s land, which is placed in the northern part of Burkina Faso. The crew have stayed in 3 kingdoms, which were created by Kurumb people (Pela, Lurum, Karo). Purpose of researches in Karo Kingdom was Irge lineage from Belehede, which (according to myths) came down from heaven on an iron chain to Somga hill.

 

EFFECTS OF RESEARCHES

Around 100 exhibits were purchased for the Municipal Museum in Żory.

Around 1100 photos were taken and over 10 hrs of recordings of interviews held with informators.

 

In this expedition partook:

Ph.D. Jacek Łapott (ethnologist, the National Museum in Szczecin)
Master degree Ewa Prądzyńska (ethnologist, the National Museum in Szczecin)
Master degree Agnieszka Tomaszewska (historian, the National Museum in Szczecin)
Master degree Lucjan Buchalik (ethnologist, the Municipal Museum in Żory)

Master degree Jakub Łapott (IT specialist – technical service)