Vest
Artist Unidentified
20th century, 1950–75
Object PlaceNiger
Medium/TechniqueCotton fabric, yarn, dyed
DimensionsOverall: 36 x 29 cm (14 3/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2766
On View
Not on viewClassificationsTextiles
DescriptionThis colorful vest is worn by young Wodaabe men (also known as Bororo Fulani) during a series of dances called "gerewol". The Wodaabe are well-known for their body adornment and their annual festival "Yaake" which is a kind of beauty contest that involves the young men. The best dancer and best adorned would have a chance to win his future wife. The Wodaabe decorative tunics are ornate and are considered valuable objects. These tunics complete the contest adornment, and are made for young men by their girlfriends. They are cotton cloth, and designs may vary from one tunic to another but they are alway asymmetric, abstract or geometric.
Provenance1975, given by Carol Beckwith to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
mid 20th century
early 20th century
early 20th century
