 Two houses and a screen. The screen marks the entrance to a women's secret society gathering place, called Bundu, at Kamalo, believed to be in Balolo, Sherbro Island, Ndema Chiefdom.  Every village contains at best one structure, called mbang, which serves as a repository for "medicines," which protect the people from misfortune and promote their welfare in general. The small structure covers a filled-in hole containing the medicines. Bongge. Sherbro Island, Sitia Chiefdom.  The wooden mortar and pestles stand on the site of mbang, which also serves as a repository for "medicine." Libations are made at this mbang to the ancestors, who are sought out to protect the village. Sherbro Island, Ndema Chiefdom.  Entrance to a secret society meeting place, called Yambo, where individuals had recently been inducted and initiated. The medicines of this society are believed to cause snake bite, but the members of the group can cure its effects. Mesima, near Belbul. Between Bawngge and Belbul. Yambo enclosure. ............. >> return to [Architecture + Construction in the 30's] |