Dr William Rea, University of Leeds.

'What art history might tell us about Pandemics: Yoruba logic and response to pandemics - the Lukuluku and measles cases in Ekiti Nigeria'

Based on one of the 'great' traditions of African wood-carving, this paper seeks to examine the historical and social conditions that led to the efflorescence of the Yoruba Ekiti carving tradition  and the subsequent identification of master hands - carvers such as Areogun of Osi or Agunna Bi Oyinbo of Ikole.  It traces the development of this tradition in relation to changes in the religious landscape and the promotion of a colonial taxation system.  It looks to take seriously the idea that there is an art history of Africa that sits beyond the notion of anthropological context.