History of African Art

Rock Art (BCE)

Aug 8, 1000

Rock art were created by Bushmen. The mainly occupied Southern Africa. The Rock Arts are seen as naturalistiic and was the orgin of earthy color palettes.

African Sculpture

Nov 10, 1535

"Nok" is an early sculptural tradition. Noks dipicted animal and human figures. These sculptures were mainly found in northern Africa.

Art of Nomads

Oct 9, 1600

Nomads were groups that moved from place to place. To make a living for themselves, they made lavish clothes and ornaments to trade. Fulani Art was very popular among the nomads.

Art of African Kingdoms

Oct 9, 1600

Ivory, Silver, and Gold symbolizes the rankings of different societies. Africans that got to work with the different elements, were apart of a corporation and lived in different living quaters.

Kuba-Bushong Art

Oct 9, 1650

The richest art zones in Africa were in the northwestern parts of Africa. Artists had close ties with the courts. Caryatid stools, macesm and scepters were made for the kings and queens.

Secret Societies

Oct 9, 1700

Groups without structure were flourshing in the art department too. The most popular group were called "Poro". Great Masks were used to enforce law and educate the young boys and girls. Also, it potrays a demonic thing in the forest.

Wooden Sculpture

Oct 9, 1800

Popular wooden sculptures were very expensive. Tellem figures showed mainly females, with uplifted arms. Fang Masks, and Kota Figures were also popular. These pieces of art were descirbed as "rays of the sun".

Bakwele

Oct 9, 1800

Fang masks are used for different purposes. The Bakwele used the masks to represent political power. The political power is related to the lineage.

Art of Witchcraft

Oct 9, 1901

Witchcraft appeals to people who activates supernatural powers. Objects used to commit these acts, are called fetishes. Fetishes in this field are known as machines.

Bambara Farmers

Oct 9, 2014

Farmers had a hard time maintaining their farms. Bambara Farmers would make masks and figures to symbolize fertility of the fields and the success of their crops. The looked upon their art as Gods that oversees their property. The horns of the n'domo mask represented the state of how corn would turn out: strong and erect.