AFRICAN CULTURE

From the Great Zimbabwe to 15th century Kilwato medieval Timbuktu evidence shows that Africans werea proud, productive, creative people!

The Great Zimbabwe – 11TH c. trade center

KILWA today part of Tanzania

16th Century "The city comes down to the shore, and is entirely surrounded by a wall and towers, within which there are maybe 12,000 inhabitants. The country all round is very luxurious with many trees and gardens of all sorts of vegetables, citrons, lemons, and the best sweet oranges that were ever seen… The streets of the city are very narrow, as the houses are very high, of three and four stories, and one can run along the tops of them upon the terraces… and in the port there were many ships. A moor ruled over this city, who did not possess more country than the city itself."Gaspar Correa describing Vasco da Gama's arrival in Kilwa.

Djinguereber Mosque Timbuktu, Mali – 15th century

“We shall one day correct our Greek and Latin classics by the manuscripts preserved there……” 15th century observer

Sankore Mosque, Mali

AFRICAN ARTWhat influenced it most? The environment

Environment is reflected in art and religion

It is a blend of NATURAL & HUMAN worlds:Nature: forces are wild and uncontrollableHuman: is predictable and orderly

guided by laws and customs

Art, music, and dance very important to religion.

Religion: animism – the belief that everything in nature has a soul and all things meddle in human affairs for good and/or bad. Polytheistic

Traditional religion: animism – the belief that everything in nature has a soul and all things meddle in human affairs for good and/or bad.

Polytheistic – many gods

Ancestors are the “go-betweens” between people and the gods.

Masks are a vehicle to communicate with the gods!

CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN ART

• Animals are very important• Pieces are more ABSTRACT than realistic• GEOMETRIC forms are used: eyes, nose, etc.• Materials used: raffia, leaves, ivory, bark, gold, skins,

wood• Art was used for everyday life activities & religion• EXAGGERATED body parts believed to have special

powers:• Eyes were the window to the soul• Head was the seat of the soul• Very large eyes, elongated or stretched heads!

ACACIAWOOD

RaffiaFrom the Raphia Palm

Nok terracotta and ivory sculpturesNigeria, 1000 BC – 500 AD

Kuba tribe – Democratic Republic of Congo12”

Benin Bronze holes used to add raffia, hair

Ashanti bird mask – kept in homes to ward off evil spirits

Ashanti chief mask

Cowrie Shells (snails)

Modigliani’s style compared to African masks

Ashanti gold mask – British Museum, London

Assignment: Create a sculpture or clay figure of a contemporary (modern) object

Requirements: • It must reflect (show) the characteristics of Africa art• On a piece of paper list the following:

• Create a title for it• Identify and describe the characteristic that you illustrated in your piece• Tell what your object actually is• This paper MUST be written neatly!!!

Example: ID and describe: a hair brush: the bristles are the most powerful or important part so they are huge and exaggerated.Title: Woman’s True Best Friend

This is a test grade. Due at end of class Wednesday, 04/03