
			African Art

         The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the 
 African society. Most ceremonies and activities (such as singing, 
 dancing, storytelling, ect.) can not function without visual art. It 
 can also be used as an implement and insignia of rank or prestige, or 
 have a religious significance.African art consists mainly of 
 sculptures, paintings, fetishes, masks, figures, and decorative 
 objects.
         Sculptures are considered to be the greatest achievement for 
 African art. A majority of the sculptures are done in wood but are 
 also made of metal, stone, terra-cotta, mud, beadwork, ivory, and 
 other materials. It is found in many parts of Africa but mainly in 
 western and central Africa. Many ancient rock paintings have been 
 found in Southern and Eastern Africa. These paintings are believed to 
 be attributed to the SAN (Bushman) people. Masks and fetishes are 
 often used to scare off bad things such as evil spirits, witches or 
 ghosts. They are also used to bring about a desired end-break a bad 
 habit, improve ones love life, or kill a natural or supernatural 
 enemy.
         There are three basic themes of African art. The first is the 
 dualism between bush and village. African tribes wear masks and 
 headresses: the male is represented by the elephant, the most powerful 
 of bush creatures and the female is delicately coiffed to express 
 refinement and civilization. The second theme of African art is the 
 problematic relationships between the sexes.African tribes use art as 
 a therapeutic device to deal with the problems and issues dealing with 
 the relations between the sexes. The third theme is the struggle to 
 control natural or supernatural forces to achieve a desired end. 
 African tribes often use masks in ceremonies (called Gelede) to 
 please and honor the forces.
         For each region in Africa,there is a different style of 
 art. The western Sudanic Region have masks and figures representing 
 legendary ancestors and religious sacrifices. The central Sudanic 
 Region art includes mud architecture, embroidered textiles, elaborate 
 coiffure, metal and beadwork jewelry,and leatherwork. This style 
 usually doesn't represent anything special. The west Guinea Coast 
 Region use masks and figures to police ceremonies,punish people for 
 doing something wrong, settle land-owning problems and start or end 
 wars. The Central Guinea Coast Region art employs aristocratic 
 materials. Specialized artists creature works of art for the leaders 
 that include: stools, drums, cloth, pottery, terra-cotta, figures, 
 miniature masks, combs, mirrors, pipes, and carved musical 
 instruments.
         African art is traditionally essential and optimistic. Without 
 art, there would be no African culture.  

