Sculpting, clothing, music, and dance

Karyssa Newsome, Nora Hania

Most of the statues from West Africa are the sculptor’s ancestors. To West Africans music and dancing were important as the visuals of art. They used music for entertainment and for greetings .For example music was played when a ruler entered a room. West Africans were also known for their making of beautiful cloths called kente. They made life like mask of featured animals such as lions, antelopes, monkeys, and hyenas.

West Africa is well recognized for its sculptors. They made statues out of many different materials such as wood, brass, clay, ivory, and stone.

A majority of the statues in West Africa are of people. Most of the time the people are the sculptors ancestors.

Most of the time these sculptures were made for religious rituals, like asking ancestors for blessings.

Some sculptors made statues made as gifts for the gods and they were placed in holy places.

They weren't meant to be seen by people. Because many statues were used for religious purposes.

For that lots of African artist were respected. People also thought that artist had been blessed by gods.

After the decline of the three empires African art was still admired. Their art inspired European artist like Picasso.

Artist also made beautiful masks of wood. The masks were of featured animals such as lions, monkey, hyenas, or antelopes.

When the masks were done being carved they were painted. Most of the time the people wore these masks performing rituals as they danced around the fire.

The way the fire shined over the masks made them look more as the real animal.

Most African villages were well known for the cloths they wove. The most recognized cloth is called kente, a brightly colored fabric that is

hand woven. First the cloth was woven into compressed strips, and then was sewn

together.

Important people such as kings and queens wore garb made of kente.

Music and dance were important to many villages as a visual art. Music and dance were a great source of entertainment and also had an

academic level of effect on people also. Music and dance helped people learn about their culture and background

history. Music and dance were also the center of most celebrations. Music was also used like a greeting at parties or when some one important like

the king and queen entered a room.

The art of dance has been a center of attention in Africa for a long time.

Dance was used to celebrate different occasions. Most of the dances have many emotions making them more

dramatic. Like there might have been a more active dance for a party, and a slower sadder dance for a funeral.

Even today most dances in west Africa have originated into another. In some parts people still dance their traditional dances.

West African wedding dance

1)What is the name of the cloth West Africans Make? A)Cotton B)Silk C)Kente D)Shakashowman

2)Name two animals the Africans based their masks on. A)Penguin, Bear B)Bear, lion C)Lion, toucan D)Monkey, hyena   3)Most sculptures in West Africa are of… A)The sculptors ancestors B)The sculptors cousins C)The sculptors pet D)The sculptors mom 

4)Why was music and dancing important to the West Africans?A)Because they liked to have funB)Because music and dancing was in the African SocietyD)Because they liked to have great entertainment all the timeD)All of the above 5)Did all the West Africans value the arts?A)No, they did it because they were boredB)Yes, they did it for their cultureC)Yes, because their art was the best knowD)No, they did it because they wanted to

Here are the Answers to the review questions

1) C 2) D 3 )A 4 )D 5 )B