African Art History Exam II

Verbal-visual nexus

"Nexus" specifically means "connection between people or things". So this is the connection between verbal and visuals.

Rite of passage

(Alagba ceremony) From Junior to Senior member of the tribe.

Baule Goli, Côte d'Ivoire (2000)

A masquerade originally used to protect the community from evil, it is now mainly for performance. It expresses gender roles. More for entertainment, important symbol of...? 1 of 4 masks seen during this ceremony. SWAGGER. Trying to outperform each other.

Griot

A member of a hereditary caste among the peoples of western Africa whose function is to keep an oral history of the tribe or village and to entertain with stories, poems, songs, dances, etc. (oral historian/primary counsel to a leader) We don't know exactly where the word griot comes from. They are also in charge of legitimizing a ruler by recounting his royal lineage

Yoruba aesthetics

According to the summary of his work in Frank Willet's introduction to African art, Thompson asked two hundred Yoruba to provide critiques of a set of sculpture and discovered nineteen criteria, "the most frequent being jijora, the moderate resemblance to the subject, a balance between the extremes of portraiture and abstraction. 1. jijora: the moderate resemblance to the subject, a balance between the extremes of portraiture and abstraction. 2. Ifarahon: visibility of craftsmanship 3. Didon: Polished surface and reflection of light 4. Gigon: Straight, upright posture; Symmetrical 5. Odo: Depicting humans at optimal age and strength 6. Tutu: "coolness" or composure. Self control.

Initiation

An example of a rite of passage. Transformation from childhood to adulthood. One reason for a masquerade.

Blacksmith

Blacksmiths emerged in western Africa around 1500 BC. They are feared in some societies for their skill in metalworking, which is considered a form of magic, but universally revered by for their technological pioneering. While common people fear the power of the blacksmith, they are highly admired and hold high social status. Because the trade is so specialized and dangerous, blacksmiths are often requisitioned by towns and villages where there are none (Ross). Other ironworking societies such as the Mande people of Mali and the Bamana exist in West Africa. Almost always male.

Olowe of Ise (nick name), pair of doors (c. 1910)

Example of a different style of doors and a named artist.

Areogun, door (early 20th cent.)

Example of a different style of doors and a named artist. Disproves the idea that yoruba artists have to stick to the same styles (contrasting the two doors).

Kalabari Alagba

Female water spirit - source of life

Gender roles

In masquerade and in reference to the last movie the spirit is very feminine even while being represented by men, walks gracefully and is supposed to be very caring and giving. The competition aspect is male.

Dan wunkirmian, Liberia/Côte d'Ivoire (n.d.)

Large spoon given to the woman given the great honor of being chosen to be in charge of hosting the festival. It represents feeding the masses, has to do with women's roles as nurturers. To be a good hostess.

Sankofa bird

Looking back, know your roots, to know who you are Need to gather things from your past to move on to the future. Literal translation: "it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind."

Igbo maiden mask, Nigeria (n.d.)

Mask that represents the epitome of youthful feminine beauty, shows how different cultures have drastically different standards of beauty. Finer features...white and smaller feature represents a maiden. Whiteness of skin indicates purity of the maiden, not that white skin is superior. White = Good- composed/civilized Black= Bad- dangerous/grotesque

Mende sowei, Sierra Leone/Liberia (19th cent.)

Mask used in by the Sande (woman and girls) society in female initiation ceremonies, represents a young maiden on the cusp of womanhood. Sowei = spirit that teaches girls how to be a woman. Worn by a woman, girls initiation society, tutor, teachable spirit, emerges from the river (talked about the rings on her neck as the ripples from the water alongside the fat roles representing successful reproduction and health). Dark shiny skin, changing hair/styles? Metaphor for domestication.

Oriki

Oriki is a kind of Yoruba literary genre used to inspire people. It is usually in the form of poetry, consisting of songs of praise. Oriki can also take the name form as well. (Very useful passage on the oriki within the reading for the first extra credit paper, I just can't copy paste because the text is in a scanned form). Praise poetry Yoruba tradition to praise someone's style/technique Used to describe an artist and their accomplishments. This is how we can find out who created what pieces of art in the yoruba society.

Ewe kente (n.d.)

Strip-woven, special occasion cloth used to denote high status. Usually made from silk.

Sundiata Keïta

Sundiata Keita was the founder of the Mali Empire. Prior to this, Sundiata was the king / chief of a small, obscure Mandinka tribe within the Ghana Empire. Much of what we know about Sundiata's life is derived from oral tradition, in particular one that is known as the Epic of Sundiata. -Founder of the Mali Empire -Was the king of Mandinka tribe in Ghana -Known from the oral tradition Epic of Sundiata. 13th cent. (Founded empire in year 1235)

Poro society

The Poro society was part of the culture introduced by Mende people, migrants to the region as early as 1000 AD. Two affiliated and secret associations exist in Sierra Leone, the Yassi and the Bundu. The first is nominally reserved for females, but members of the Poro are admitted to certain ceremonies.

Drum language

The idea that each drum line and rhythm during a masquerade ceremony means something. (hidden message/secret language) * Each dancer represents a household. And with the winning, or best dance, brings honor to that household, or familial compound. Family pride.

Ekine society

The kalabari ekine society is associated with masquerades. The movie we watched was about this society. This initiation is not from childhood to adulthood but rather from junior to senior member of that society.

Dan mask, Liberia/Côte d'Ivoire (20th cent.)

These masks are representations of spirits that came to people (Men) in dreams and want to come to Earth. They have many purposes including celebrating a new chief, harvest, etc.

Senufo kponungo, Côte d'Ivoire (20th cent.)

Used at funerals and male initiation ceremonies by the Poro society, especially blacksmiths. Represent characters from the chaotic beginning of the world. Owned by blacksmiths, in charge of privilege of knowledge...? Helmet mask meant to be frightening, chaos of the world.

Bamileke elephant mask, Cameroon (c. 1910-1930)

Used by members of the royal family. Elephant and leopard symbolism represent strength, wealth, and power. Used by an elite society. Elephants/pythons are seen as royal symbols. Celebratory and decorative.

Masquerade

Uses of masquerades: Rites of passage: initiation, funerals Spiritual/religious Judicial/political Artistic/entertainment Cultural pride (which compliments the artistic/entertainment) Gender roles (these expressions are reinforced)

Akan goldweights

Weighing gold (currency). Representing the evolution from geometric to more elaborate design. 1 - 2 inches Made of Brass

Asante sankofa bird weight, Ghana (19th-20th cent?)

Weight made of brass, used to measure gold. Sankofa bird represents looking back and learning from the past while moving forward. This symbol is often used by African Americans to remember their African heritage. "Visual verbal nexus"

Yoruba ere ibeji, Nigeria (20th cent.)

Wood, human figures. Representations of a twin that has died. The Ere Ibeji are washed, clothed, and cared for as if they were alive in order to keep the spirit happy and prevent it from pulling its twin into the spirit world or messing with the lives of the family. To westerners, they look like dolls, but this is not true and it represents a pitfall of studying African art through a European lens.

Kente cloth

Woven in strips by Asante men on a double pedal and then strips are sewn together (used to be made of silk but now made of synthetic materials) Color scheme: overall gold with red, brown, green. Denotes your status (special occasion cloth) "Kente cloth, Ghana (n.d)" "Kente strip weaving, cloth - 17th cent."

Sande society

women's secret society in Liberia