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The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the African
society. Most ceremonies and activities (such as singing, dancing,
storytelling, ect.) can not function without visual art. It can also be
used as an implement and insignia of rank or prestige, or have a
religious significance.African art consists mainly of sculptures,
paintings, fetishes, masks, figures, and decorative objects.
Sculptures are considered to be the greatest achievement for African
art. A majority of the sculptures are done in wood but are also made of
metal, stone, terra-cotta, mud, beadwork, ivory, and other materials.
It is found in many parts of Africa but mainly in western and central
Africa. Many ancient rock paintings have been found in Southern and
Eastern Africa. These paintings are believed to be attributed to the
SAN (Bushman) people. Masks and fetishes are often used to scare off
bad things such as evil spirits, witches or ghosts. They are also used
to bring about a desired end-break a bad habit, improve ones love life,
or kill a natural or supernatural enemy.
There are three basic themes of African art. The first is the
dualism between bush and village. African tribes wear masks and
headresses: the male is represented by the elephant, the most powerful
of bush creatures and the female is delicately coiffed to express
refinement and civilization. The second theme of African art is the
problematic relationships between the sexes.African tribes use art as a
therapeutic device to deal with the problems and issues dealing with
the relations between the sexes. The third theme is the struggle to
control natural or supernatural forces to achieve a desired end.
African tribes often use masks in ceremonies (called Gelede) to please
and honor the forces.
For each region in Africa,there is a different style of art. The
western Sudanic Region have masks and figures representing legendary
ancestors and religious sacrifices. The central Sudanic Region art
includes mud architecture, embroidered textiles, elaborate coiffure,
metal and beadwork jewelry,and leatherwork. This style usually doesn’t
represent anything special. The west Guinea Coast Region use masks and
figures to police ceremonies,punish people for doing something wrong,
settle land-owning problems and start or end wars. The Central Guinea
Coast Region art employs aristocratic materials. Specialized artists
creature works of art for the leaders that include: stools, drums,
cloth, pottery, terra-cotta, figures, miniature masks, combs, mirrors,
pipes, and carved musical instruments.
African art is traditionally essential and optimistic. Without art, there would be no African culture.
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