ART of the African NationsBelow the Sahara

African Art

ART below the Sahara desert

The arts (visual art, storytelling, music, and dance) were woven together in ritual ceremonies.

They all played a role in ceremony. Masks, costumes, movements, and

drum rhythms were distinct for each ceremony.

Purposes of the arts

Used for teaching Celebration Praise of the deity Commemoration of life events

Mediums for the arts

Wood was a favorite medium for sculpture

As a result there are no surviving sculptures as old Egyptian art

Masks

Usually a stylized version of a man or animal

Not intended to be realistic because they represented a spirit

Reasons for using Masks

Represent spirits/nature Discipline role for community Rites of passage Deaths or funerals Remembrance of deceased

ancestors Therapeutic use/Healing injuries

Nigeria the Benin Kingdom

Sculptures that were cast to represent lifelike portraits of the king and his court