Permanence de la Parure et du Masque Africains by Bernolles, Jacques

Paris: G.P. Maisonneuve et Larose, 1966. First Edition. Thick Large Octavo. cxxxiv, 462 pages. French text with 63 full page plates, some with color in outline, divided into five parts: (1) a set of "propositions" describing successive migrations out of the drought-ridden Sahara by Pygmies, Paleonoirs, and Bovidiens-Fulbt, and the possibility of "psychotypologically" categorizing Saharan rock paintings. (2) a survey of contemporary and recent African hairdresses, wigs, hide clothing, scarification, body painting, and "jewelry," with their putative parallels in the rock paintings; (3) a discussion of the psychological functions of human and animal masks among ancient Egyptians and contemporary Dogon, Bambara, Kete, Kuba, and others; (4) a section on dances and myths in the Sahara; (5) a 100-page conclusion condemning "the principle of the absolute superiority of rules--urban and 'civilized,' of rational and materialistic methods, in the organization and rule of men. A very fine copy of an important… Read More