Sheikh Amadou Bamba

Object Details

Gora Mbengue, 1931 - 1988, born Senegal

Label Text

The central figure in a white robe and turban represents Sheikh Amadou Bamba (1850-1927), a Sufi saint, poet, teacher and hero of the cultural resistance against the French colonial administration. The image is based on the only surviving photograph of him before his exile to Gabon. During his absence (1895-1902), his teachings and influence spread, as did stories of his supernatural powers--from an ability to lay his prayer mat on the ocean to fighting monsters and receiving guidance from the archangel Gabriel.

Description

Reverse glass painting with four figures against a yellow sky: flying winged white robed figure; kneeling male figure in blue robe; standing male figure with white turban, scarf and robe, holding Islamic prayer beads; female figure in blue dress and green veil, holding a tea kettle and receiving an envelope from a flying bird.

Provenance

Charleton E. Williams, Washington, D.C., -- to 2002

Exhibition History

Heroes: Principles of African Greatness, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 16, 2019–October 3, 2021

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (deinstalled April 11, 2016)

African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013

Content Statement

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Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Bequest of Charlton E. Williams

Late 20th century

Object number

2002-14-19

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Painting

Medium

Paint on glass

Dimensions

H x W x D: 33.4 x 49 x 2 cm (13 1/8 x 19 5/16 x 13/16 in.)

Geography

Gorée Island, Senegal

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

bird

male

female

angel

Record ID

nmafa_2002-14-19

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7476ae7db-46e7-40d3-acf8-4bf5b5bfa7bd