In the
African context, traditional sculpture plays a crucial role
in promoting the orderly functioning of society. Masks represent
supernatural spirits believed to aid and protect individuals
and the community. Their symbolic meaning expresses the fundamental
values of the people and are created to express religious
beliefs, and for social and utilitarian purposes. These aesthetic
objects transmit the cultural heritage of the West African
peoples from generation to generation.
The
tradition of African art has been traced back to the period
of the Stone Age, verified by archaeological discoveries of
Sahara rock paintings and engravings. These artifacts display
evidence of remarkable skill and imagination. This type of
work, for example, depicted the wild life which inhabited
the Sahara region around the 800 B.C. It is believed that
the terra-cotta heads produced by the Nok, who inhabited the
northern and central parts of Nigeria, are the oldest known
and most impressive sculptures. They were discovered during
mining in the village of the Nok in the 1940’s by an
archaeologist, Bernard Fagg. These sculptures show a wide
range of styles and artistic skills and are on display in
an art museum in Central Nigeria. It is also said that the
Nok people were the cultural ancestors of the Yoruba people
who had produced the Ife sculpture centuries ago. The tradition
of West African sculpture passed from Ife to Benin, where
it flourished during the 14th to 15th centuries.
Africans
are said to be among the most outstanding set of woodcarvers
in the world. The wood is carved shortly after it has been
cut from the tree and usually only one block of wood is used
for each work. The chisel, the axe and knife are the carving
tools most popularly used. Some works are sculptured for decorative
purposes while others are used in rituals. The Senufo people
of the Ivory Coast carved figures to represent their ancestors;
the Ashanti people carved dolls, which pregnant women wore
under their waistbands in the belief that this would help
them to have beautiful children.
The
making and decorating of cloth is also a very important and
vital traditional craft in West Africa, where a vast amount
of artistic skills are employed. Cotton, silk, wool and raffia
are the materials most commonly used. The Ashanti peoples
of Ghana are well known for the making of Kente cloth, which
are woven in one piece and have a patchwork with many threads
of bright colours. These cloths were traditionally made only
for the political leaders of the Ashanti state. Another well
known African decorating cloth is the appliqué Dahomey
cloth of large bright figures evoking mystical symbolism.
In this form of artwork small pieces of different coloured
symbols in cloth are sewn unto a black background to create
a picture story.
For
further information please contact:
African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/
Jamaica Memory Bank
12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston
Tel: 922-4793/7415
Fax: 924-9361
Email: acij@anngel.com
The
tradition of African art has been traced back to the period
of the Stone Age, verified by archaeological discoveries of
Sahara rock paintings and engravings. These artifacts display
evidence of remarkable skill and imagination. This type of
work, for example, depicted the wild life which inhabited
the Sahara region around the 800 B.C. It is believed that
the terra-cotta heads produced by the Nok, who inhabited the
northern and central parts of Nigeria, are the oldest known
and most impressive sculptures. They were discovered during
mining in the village of the Nok in the 1940’s by an
archaeologist, Bernard Fagg. These sculptures show a wide
range of styles and artistic skills and are on display in
an art museum in Central Nigeria. It is also said that the
Nok people were the cultural ancestors of the Yoruba people
who had produced the Ife sculpture centuries ago. The tradition
of West African sculpture passed from Ife to Benin, where
it flourished during the 14th to 15th centuries.
Africans
are said to be among the most outstanding set of woodcarvers
in the world. The wood is carved shortly after it has been
cut from the tree and usually only one block of wood is used
for each work. The chisel, the axe and knife are the carving
tools most popularly used. Some works are sculptured for decorative
purposes while others are used in rituals. The Senufo people
of the Ivory Coast carved figures to represent their ancestors;
the Ashanti people carved dolls, which pregnant women wore
under their waistbands in the belief that this would help
them to have beautiful children. 
The
making and decorating of cloth is also a very important and
vital traditional craft in West Africa, where a vast amount
of artistic skills are employed. Cotton, silk, wool and raffia
are the materials most commonly used. The Ashanti peoples
of Ghana are well known for the making of Kente cloth, which
are woven in one piece and have a patchwork with many threads
of bright colours. These cloths were traditionally made only
for the political leaders of the Ashanti state. Another well
known African decorating cloth is the appliqué Dahomey
cloth of large bright figures evoking mystical symbolism.
In this form of artwork small pieces of different coloured
symbols in cloth are sewn unto a black background to create
a picture story. 