Collecting African Tribal Art : Courage

The Mgbedike is an Igbo mask that translates to “Time of the Brave”. The secret sauce is the ‘spiritual’ visualization of Courage (see Ikenga for a similar visual manifestation related to Discipline) and Fortitude, with massive horns and ferocious teeth. One Igbo tenet circles individual accomplishment and social progress. The mask therefore acts as part of a social framework (aka “Village”) for reinforcing a multi-value system that is engaging to children as well as adults.

Mgbedike – “Time of the Brave”

Maya Angelou on Courage.

“I am convinced that courage is the most important of all the virtues. Because without courage, you cannot practice any other virtue consistently. You can be kind for a while; you can be generous for a while; you can be just for a while, or merciful for a while, even loving for a while. But it is only with courage that you can be persistently and insistently kind and generous and fair.”

Confucius on Courage

“Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.”

Aristotle on Courage

“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.”

MLK Jr on Courage

“Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles…. If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.”