I missed the pre-2009 era of BCN since I only joined in 2009. Some day I should go back to the beginning of BCN and scan the forum. Lots of interesting photos and info.

That large round chevron cane-decorated bead is spectacular, BTW!

PS the Traore book has lots of nice photos so I can enjoy it as a picture-book. Some day I may wade through more of the text. The author gives a bibliography but does not footnote his text with the associated references. I consider this to be a lazy way to publish anything as long as a 271 page book. Not to mention about half of his short list of reference materials are in Japanese and so can't be easily checked by Westerners.