Glossary
Community Focus
African art is often created for and presented within the local community during ceremonies, reinforcing shared bonds, beliefs, and experiences among its members.
Example:
The elaborate masquerades of the Igbo people have a strong community focus, bringing together villagers for celebrations and social cohesion, rather than being displayed in private collections.
Context
The *context* of African art encompasses the cultural, spiritual, and historical circumstances surrounding its creation and use, which are crucial for understanding its meaning and significance.
Example:
Understanding the context of a Benin bronze plaque, including its placement on palace pillars and its depiction of royal history, reveals its profound political and commemorative significance.
Function
In African art, the *function* refers to the practical or intended use and purpose of an artwork within its cultural context, often prioritizing its role over mere aesthetic appeal.
Example:
The primary function of a Bamana chi wara headdress is not just decorative, but to be worn in agricultural rituals to promote fertility and good harvests.
Indigenous Americas Art
Art from the native cultures of North, Central, and South America, often sharing common characteristics with African art such as functional, community-oriented, and ritualistic purposes.
Example:
Like African art, the ceremonial regalia of the Kwakwaka'wakw people of the Pacific Northwest Coast demonstrates a strong Indigenous Americas Art tradition focused on ritual and community engagement.
Ownership
In African art, *ownership* typically refers to the commissioner of the artwork, such as a family or ruler, indicating its personal and significant value within that specific group.
Example:
The ownership of a specific Yoruba ibeji figure by a family signifies its role in commemorating deceased twins and maintaining ancestral connections, rather than being a public possession.
Participatory
Many African artworks are designed to be interacted with, worn, or performed during rituals, making the art a dynamic, full sensory experience rather than a static object.
Example:
A Senufo kpeliyee mask is participatory; it comes alive when danced in ceremonies, transforming the wearer and engaging the entire community in a shared experience.
Personal and Cultural Expression
African art reflects individual and collective experiences, beliefs, and values, serving as a mirror to society's identity and shared heritage.
Example:
The intricate patterns on a Kuba raffia textile demonstrate personal and cultural expression, conveying specific clan histories and aesthetic preferences unique to their society.
Religious and Spiritual Purposes
African art often serves to connect with the divine, honor ancestors, or invoke spirits, acting as a conduit between the human and spiritual realms.
Example:
A Kongo nkisi n'kondi figure embodies a religious and spiritual purpose, housing spiritual forces to protect or punish individuals within the community.
Ritualistic Use
African art is frequently integrated into ceremonies and performances, where its *ritualistic use* helps to enact spiritual beliefs, social transitions, or communal celebrations.
Example:
The ritualistic use of a Pende minganji mask in initiation ceremonies guides young men into adulthood and reinforces societal norms, making it an active part of cultural practice.
Social and Political Purposes
African art frequently symbolizes power, status, and wealth, or commemorates the achievements of rulers, thereby reinforcing social hierarchies and political authority.
Example:
The elaborate regalia and thrones of Asante kings serve a clear social and political purpose, visually asserting their authority and lineage to their subjects.