The Gullah are members of African American communities that developed a unique culture and language in the Atlantic coastal region stretching between Jacksonville, NC and Jacksonville, FL. The history of the Gullah peoples is rooted in the horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Slave traders […]
This small goddess figure was produced in Mathura in north-central India during the period of the Maurya Empire (322 – 185 BCE). At that time, the city was an important economic, religious, and cultural hub. Archaeologically, it is one of the principal sites yielding large […]
This brightly colored ceramic house is from Santa Cruz de las Huertas, just outside of Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Jalisco is known as one of the largest pottery-producing states in the country. This whimsical style of work in clay, featuring vibrant colors […]
The Guna (Kuna) people live predominantly on the San Blas Islands off the Atlantic coast of Panama with a population of approximately 50,000. The Guna believe that sickness and disease are caused by poni, malevolent spirits that enter a person’s body and capture his or […]
Khanga (also spelled kanga) cloths are brightly printed rectangular cotton textiles that are very popular in East Africa. Khangas measure approximately 45” by 65” and are distinguished by their vibrant central design (mji) surrounded by a colorful border (pindo). Khangas are an important medium of […]
This wooden figure is from the lower Ramu River area in the Lower Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. An area of remarkable linguistic and cultural diversity, roughly 200 groups speaking distinct languages live in this region on the northern coast of mainland Papua New […]