West Africans Value Arts

Chapter 6, Section 4 Historical and Artistic Traditions, page 150~151

Created by:Miharu Sugie, Sarah Doyle,

and Anais Teyton

Introduction The African history was told orally for many centuries.

As rituals relating to history were important, so were the many arts of West Africa.

The valued arts include sculpture, mask & cloth making, dance, and music.

Sculpture & Carvings

Made of wood, brass, ivory, stone, clay, etc. Sculptors = believed to be blessed by the gods

- deeply respected

- made many statues of ancestors Statues…used in religious rituals for blessing of

ancestors

… kept in holy places

… gifts for gods

Mask & Cloth making Painted, lifelike Carved from wood Showed animal faces…ex.Lions, hyenas, monkeys, etc

Used in rituals (dancing) Kente--famous fabric

Hand woven, brightly colored Kings and queens clad in it for events

Pictures of West African Cloth (Kente).

Picture of West African Masks, sculptures

Music & Dance

Used for... Entertainment Help for people to honor & respect history

Base for celebrations Dance- vital celebration to this day

Conclusion

African art is still admired

Inspired artist Henri Matisse Pablo Picasso