Page 92 - Empires of Medieval West Africa

t h e s o n i n k e p e o p l e o f t h e G h a n a E m p i r e

by dancers in musical rituals as a way of communicating with the spir-
its they represent, and to include those spirits in community affairs.
Small statues served a similar purpose when they were given ritual
offerings such as kola nuts, dègè (sweet millet balls or porridge), and the
blood of sacrificed chickens. Many of these religious objects, including
various types of masks and statuettes, are now regarded as fine works of
art. They can be found in important museums in Europe and the
United States.

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