The Block Museum of Art premiered “Des marabouts de Djenné” on Feb. 4, spotlighting the unique religious figures of Djenné, Mali. The exhibit showcases 30 color portraits of marabouts, Muslim religious leaders and educators, by Malian artist Hamdia Traoré.
The portraits follow a consistent format. Each marabout is seated cross-legged and photographed on-site in Djenné’s Qur’anic schools, mosques or homes. They sit on woven mats or sheepskins, surrounded by the tools of their profession: manuscripts, wooden Qur’an boards, reed pens and ink pots. Most hold prayer beads and wear clothing associated with traditional marabout attire, including caps, flowing robes and shawls.
Captured between 2017 and 2020, Traoré’s portraits are displayed alongside 14 black-and-white photographs of marabouts taken by past generations of photographers, situating his work within a history of Muslim portraiture in Mali.
Curator Kathleen Bickford Berzock said the exhibition was motivated in part by Northwestern’s deep institutional ties to African and Islamic studies.
“What Hamdia has done is really incredible, but it’s also part of tradition,” Berzock said. “He is part of several generations of photographers working within the same portrait style, but his use of color, the domestic and educational settings of his portraits, and the scale of the series really allow viewers to intimately connect with the community individual by individual.”
The exhibition was curated by Berzock in collaboration with Candace Keller, director of the Archive of Malian Photography at Michigan State University. Keller will speak at the Block Museum on Feb. 21, offering further context on Malian photography.
Traoré himself is Muslim and originally from Djenné. He attended a Qur’anic school as a child, an experience that informs both the subject matter and sensitivity of the project. He described marabouts as figures who educate children, guide communities and offer prayers and blessings.
“I wanted to let people know that these marabouts exist in this world, precisely in Djenné,” Traoré said. “I want to valorize their craft and knowledge.”
He said the project emerged organically from his relationship to the community. He approached each marabout individually, explained his intentions and sought consent to photograph them.
“If you don’t accept this project, it can’t go far,” Traoré told them.
The collaboration was mutual, and Traoré said that the marabouts were proud to see the photographs shared internationally.
“Something I really appreciate about the piece is just its simplicity, SESP junior Camille Gerville-Reache, a Block Services assistant. I think religion can be portrayed in a very extravagant way, but these high religious figures are sat on the ground and portrayed more humbly, but still very respected and educated.”
The exhibit will be on display until June 14.
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