African Notarial Act. End of XVIII

I have always felt a strong attraction to African art. Interestingly, I haven't been there, know little about it, and it hasn't been a priority or a dream for an upcoming trip. However, getting to know its art through museums captivates me.

I am fortunate to have acquired some pieces throughout my life, and one of them is this "Notarial Act." The piece was purchased during a visit to the "Passé Composé" store in 2014, hosted by my friends Thierry Delannoy and Sylvie Deleersynder in Tournai, Belgium.

This piece of wood, approximately 23 x 6 cm, bears illegible calligraphy, at least for me, arranged on the front. Part of what could be an "official seal" of some local authority with a red pigment can be discerned.

These types of Acts date back to the 12th to late 18th century in the northern region of Africa. During this period, official documents such as notarial acts, marriage certificates, and "deeds" for homes were often recorded on pieces of wood, a lesser-known form.

It may sound distant, but if we think about it, how long has it been a requirement to insert a microchip in our pets for air travel? These pieces of wood were often hidden within the house or in city "barns" to keep them away from thieves.

You can find more information in French by searching for ancient villages that still have these, such as Agadir n'Id Aissa, and look for their "actes officiels (propriété, mariage) or écrits sur du bois" (official acts - property, marriage - sometimes written on wood).

This image from the terrier michel´s Blog