African Art

 

         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.