Glossary
Ancestral Worship
The practice of honoring deceased ancestors, often believing their spirits can influence the living and serve as intermediaries.
Example:
Many African societies create elaborate sculptures, like the Fang byeri figures, to house the relics of ancestors and maintain a spiritual connection through ancestral worship.
Clay
A versatile earthy material used for pottery, ceramics, and sculptural forms, often fired to create durable objects.
Example:
The ancient Nok culture is renowned for its distinctive terracotta figures, demonstrating the early and sophisticated use of clay in West African art.
Cultural Context
The social, historical, religious, and environmental circumstances surrounding the creation and use of an artwork, essential for understanding its meaning and function.
Example:
To fully appreciate the significance of a Benin bronze plaque, one must understand its cultural context within the Edo kingdom's royal court, its historical narratives, and its role in reinforcing the Oba's power.
Cultural Exchange
The reciprocal sharing and blending of ideas, practices, and artistic styles between different societies, often facilitated by trade or migration.
Example:
The incorporation of European glass beads into Yoruba crowns and regalia illustrates the dynamic cultural exchange that occurred through trade networks.
Functional Art
Art created with a specific purpose or utility in daily life, rituals, or ceremonies, rather than solely for aesthetic display.
Example:
Many Kongo nkisi n'kondi power figures are not merely sculptures but are functional art objects, activated through rituals to achieve specific outcomes like healing or justice.
Metal
Durable materials like brass, iron, and copper, employed in African art for casting, forging, and creating jewelry, regalia, and masks.
Example:
The lost-wax casting technique was famously used by the Edo people of Benin to create exquisite metal plaques and heads for the royal palace.
Nature and Wildlife
The natural world, including animals and landscapes, frequently depicted in African art due to its importance in daily life and belief systems.
Example:
The Senufo people often incorporate chameleon or bird motifs into their masks, reflecting the significance of nature and wildlife in their cosmology and agricultural practices.
Physical Environment
The natural surroundings, including climate, geography, and available resources, that significantly influence the materials and forms of art created by a culture.
Example:
The abundance of specific trees in a region often dictated the prevalence of wood carving, while the presence of iron ore led to sophisticated metalworking traditions, demonstrating the impact of the physical environment.
Rituals and Ceremonies
Formal, often symbolic, actions performed according to established customs, where African art frequently plays a central and active role.
Example:
Elaborate masquerades involving carved masks and costumes are central to many African rituals and ceremonies, transforming participants and connecting communities to the spirit world.
Social Hierarchies
A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
Example:
The intricate regalia and elaborate thrones of the Kuba kingdom visually reinforced the king's position at the top of the social hierarchies.
Spiritual Art
Art deeply connected to religious beliefs, ancestral veneration, or the invocation of spirits, often serving as a conduit between the human and divine realms.
Example:
The Bundu Mask of the Sande Society is a powerful example of spiritual art, embodying the ideals of female beauty and spiritual wisdom for initiation rites.
Stone
A hard, durable material used for carving sculptures, monuments, and architectural elements in various African traditions.
Example:
The impressive monolithic churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia were carved directly out of living rock, showcasing monumental stone architecture.
Symbolic Traits
Characteristics or qualities represented through artistic forms that convey deeper meanings or ideals within a culture.
Example:
The large, prominent head in many Yoruba sculptures emphasizes ori (the inner spiritual head), a symbolic trait representing a person's destiny and character.
Textiles and Fibers
Woven cloths and natural strands used to create patterned fabrics, clothing, and sometimes incorporated into sculptures or masks.
Example:
Kente cloth, with its vibrant colors and geometric patterns, is a celebrated example of Ghanaian textiles and fibers, often worn for important ceremonies.
Wood
A primary organic material extensively used in African art, especially for carving sculptures, masks, and figures due to its availability and workability.
Example:
The intricate details and expressive forms of a Bamana chiwara headdress are masterfully carved from wood, showcasing the artist's skill.