Ancient African ArtAncient African Art

Elements of African ArtElements of African Art

Resemblence to a human being Ideas about reality Express ideas about spirits or

humans through human and animal images

Resemblence to a human being Ideas about reality Express ideas about spirits or

humans through human and animal images

Tankagle MaskTankagle Mask

Dan, Liberia Cote d’Ivoire Wood, metal, fiber Spirits of the forest who use masks to

appear to the people

Dan, Liberia Cote d’Ivoire Wood, metal, fiber Spirits of the forest who use masks to

appear to the people

LuminosityLuminosity

Smooth Surface Decorative shining Rough surface= ugly and

deformed

Smooth Surface Decorative shining Rough surface= ugly and

deformed

Ere IbejiEre Ibeji

Yoruba Nigeria Wood, beads, brass necklaces Twins bless parents with good fortune The head is 1/3 the size of the body because a person’s

destiny or inner head Smooth surface without sandpaper

Yoruba Nigeria Wood, beads, brass necklaces Twins bless parents with good fortune The head is 1/3 the size of the body because a person’s

destiny or inner head Smooth surface without sandpaper

Akua’ba Female StatuetteAkua’ba Female Statuette

Asante, Ghana Wood Induces pregnancy and assures safe delivery Cared for as a child Asante is matrilineal

Asante, Ghana Wood Induces pregnancy and assures safe delivery Cared for as a child Asante is matrilineal

Self ComposureSelf Composure

Subjects are proud, dignified, controlled and cool

Measured and rational way

Subjects are proud, dignified, controlled and cool

Measured and rational way

Sowei MaskSowei Mask

Mende Sierra Leone Female beauty and Virtue Neck Creases, good health Lowered eyes no gossip Composed inner serenity

Mende Sierra Leone Female beauty and Virtue Neck Creases, good health Lowered eyes no gossip Composed inner serenity

YouthfulnessYouthfulness

Most of the subjects are young Vigor Productiveness Fertility Rarely shows/depicts illness and

deformity

Most of the subjects are young Vigor Productiveness Fertility Rarely shows/depicts illness and

deformity

Family GroupFamily Group

Makonde, Tanzania Wood Artistic unity, imagination, delicate detail Made to trade with Europeans

Makonde, Tanzania Wood Artistic unity, imagination, delicate detail Made to trade with Europeans

Gelede HeaddressGelede Headdress

Gelede cont.Gelede cont.

Yoruba, Nigeria Wood Festival honors creative and dangerous

powers of women elders, Female ancestors, Goddesses

“our mothers” Birds dangerous nocturnal powers Snakes artsy and mastery as well as

vigilance

Yoruba, Nigeria Wood Festival honors creative and dangerous

powers of women elders, Female ancestors, Goddesses

“our mothers” Birds dangerous nocturnal powers Snakes artsy and mastery as well as

vigilance

Clarity of form, balance and symmetry

Clarity of form, balance and symmetry

High value of workmanship Mastery of the medium

High value of workmanship Mastery of the medium

Epa HeaddressEpa Headdress

Yoruba, Nigeria Epa festival chiefs,

farmers, warriors, hunters, priests and women

Men wear this mask while dancing

Herbalists heal and contol evil

Yoruba, Nigeria Epa festival chiefs,

farmers, warriors, hunters, priests and women

Men wear this mask while dancing

Herbalists heal and contol evil

Chi Wara HeadressChi Wara Headress

Bamana, Mali Republic

Wood, metal, threads

Farming headress honor the farming animal

Zig zag symbolizes the sun’s path

Bamana, Mali Republic

Wood, metal, threads

Farming headress honor the farming animal

Zig zag symbolizes the sun’s path