The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the African society. Most
ceremonies and activities (such as singing, dancing, storytelling, etc.) 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 headdresses: the male is represented by the
elephant, the most powerful of bush creatures and the female is delicately
coifed 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 leather work. 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.
