Glossary
Art as a Tool
The concept that African art often serves active, functional roles within society, rather than being purely aesthetic objects, including religious, social, and political purposes.
Example:
The use of a Pwo mask by the Chokwe people during initiation ceremonies exemplifies art as a tool for teaching and reinforcing community values.
Challenge Biases
The critical approach of recognizing and overcoming prejudiced interpretations, particularly early Western views, to embrace a more nuanced and respectful understanding of African art.
Example:
When studying the power figures of the Kongo, it's crucial to challenge biases that might label them as 'fetishes' and instead appreciate their complex spiritual and judicial roles.
Communication
One of the '3 C's' of African art, referring to its role as a powerful form of social, political, and religious expression within communities.
Example:
The intricate patterns and symbols on a Kente cloth serve as a form of visual communication, conveying messages about status, lineage, and historical events.
Connections
One of the '3 C's' of African art, highlighting the exchange of ideas and influences both within African communities and globally, demonstrating its interconnectedness.
Example:
The stylistic similarities between artworks from different West African kingdoms illustrate the connections and shared artistic traditions across the region.
Context
The overarching principle in interpreting African art, encompassing its cultural, historical, and intended purpose, which is essential for unlocking its meaning and significance.
Example:
Always considering the context of a work like the Great Mosque of Djenné helps us understand its continuous rebuilding tradition and its role as a community and religious center.
Cultural Context
The beliefs, values, and social structures of the society that produced an artwork, which are crucial for interpreting its meaning.
Example:
Understanding the cultural context of the Kongo power figure (nkisi n'kondi) reveals its role in mediating disputes and enforcing social order, rather than just being a decorative sculpture.
Early Western Views
Biased interpretations from early Western scholars who often perceived African art as 'primitive' or unsophisticated due to a lack of cultural understanding.
Example:
Picasso's early Cubist works were influenced by African masks, but his appreciation often stemmed from an early Western view that saw them as raw and primal, rather than understanding their complex ritualistic functions.
Exchange of Ideas
The way African art reflects interactions between communities within Africa and with the wider world, serving as a visual record of cultural diffusion and influence.
Example:
The presence of European motifs on some Benin bronzes illustrates the exchange of ideas that occurred through trade routes between the Kingdom of Benin and Portuguese merchants.
Global Impact
The significant influence African art has had on art movements and artists around the world, particularly in the early 20th century.
Example:
The Cubist movement, pioneered by artists like Picasso and Braque, demonstrates the profound global impact of African sculpture on Western modern art.
Historical Context
The specific time period and major events occurring when an artwork was created, providing insight into the motivations and circumstances behind its production.
Example:
Analyzing the historical context of Benin bronzes, such as the plaques depicting court life, helps us understand their creation during a period of significant trade and political power for the Kingdom of Benin.
Intended Audience and Purpose
Who the artwork was made for and its specific function, such as religious rituals, social commentary, or political expression.
Example:
The intended audience and purpose of a Mende Sowei mask was for female initiates and to embody ideal feminine beauty and wisdom during Sande society ceremonies.
Modern Recognition
The contemporary celebration of African art as a vital source of cultural heritage and identity, acknowledging its complexity and global influence.
Example:
The inclusion of African art in major international museum exhibitions and academic curricula reflects its modern recognition as a significant global art tradition.
Oral Tradition
The reliance on spoken word, stories, and rituals to transmit knowledge, history, and cultural practices across generations in many African societies.
Example:
Due to oral tradition, dating and attributing many ancient Nok terracotta sculptures is challenging, as written records detailing their creation are scarce.
Religious Rituals
A primary function of African art where masks and sculptures serve as active participants in spiritual practices, connecting the human and spirit worlds.
Example:
The performance of a Dogon Satimbe mask in religious rituals helps to honor ancestors and maintain cosmic balance within the community.
Rise of Cultural Anthropology
A shift in scholarship that brought a more nuanced understanding of African art by emphasizing the unique cultural, spiritual, and historical experiences of African communities.
Example:
The rise of cultural anthropology helped scholars move beyond simply collecting objects to studying the living traditions and meanings behind artworks like the Bamana Chiwara headdresses.
Social and Political Commentary
A function of art where artworks express opinions, critique society, or communicate messages related to social structures and political power.
Example:
The elaborate regalia and sculptures of the Kuba Kingdom often served as social and political commentary, reinforcing the authority and lineage of the nyim (king).