Gender Identity

Unknown Yoruba artist, Nigeria, West Africa
Chief’s (Obas) Headdress
glass beads and cotton ticking
Gift of Leonard Lewis
UMFA1994.044.011

This crown is only worn by the Yoruba Oba, or chief. What do you think the decorations symbolize? What does it tell you about the chief?

Can you think of someone who has power? What do they wear that tells you they have power? How does their clothing compare to this Yoruba crown?

How do the clothing of men and women in power differ? What does this tell you about gender roles and depictions?

This crown belonged to a Yoruba Oba who is a man. The symbols on the crown represent both male and female power. What might this say about gender roles and depictions in Yoruba society? How is the power of each gender balanced by the other?

Do you think women and men can have equal amounts of power? How can men and women balance each other?

About the art:
The Yoruba Oba is bestowed his crown upon assuming the throne. The crown, or headdress, is covered in glass beads that have been carefully strung by a skilled beadsman. The faces surrounding the crown are representative of ancestors and previous Obas. Crowns almost always include a bird motif. The bird represents both the female power that balances men’s masculinity and the Oba’s communication between his people and the spirit world.

Mahonri Mackintosh Young
Da Winnah
1927
unique bronze cast
SMA1998.033

What do you think this sculpture is about? Who are the 3 people? What are they doing? How do you think each of these 3 people feel?

About the art:
This sculpture depicts three separate people: The Winner, The Loser, and The Referee. Da Winnahillustrates the announcement of the winner of the Dempsey-Firpo fight held in New York in 1924. The bronze depicts the triumphant “Mannasa Mauler” Jack Dempsey being proclaimed victor over Firpo by ring announcer Joe Jeffries. As Jeffries holds up Dempsey’s gloved hand, he proclaims him “Da Winnah, and champion of the world, Jack Dempsey!”

Have you ever played a game or sport where you won or lost? How did you feel?

How would this sculpture be different if they were women?

How are men and women portrayed differently as athletes? How are they portrayed the same?

Do you think men and women are equal in athletic ability? Should all sports be played by both men and women? Why or why not? Should all teams have both men and women on them? Why or why not?

Extension:
Brainstorm a list of games or sports. Choose one game or sport from the list and draw or paint a picture that shows the moment when the game or sport is won or lost. You could even use a variation of men and women on each team, or you might choose a game or sport traditionally played by only men or only women and draw or paint them with the opposite gender.