AP Art History – Unit 6 Africa

A collection of flashcards summarizing significant works of art from African history and their cultural contexts.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe?

Shona peoples

Where is the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe located?

Southeastern Zimbabwe

What is the time period of the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe?

c. 1000–1400 CE

What are the form and materials used in the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe?

Granite stone; courses of dry masonry (no mortar).

What is the content of the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe?

Circular wall enclosure with an internal conical tower symbolizing a grain bin.

What is the function of the Conical Tower and Circular Wall of Great Zimbabwe?

Royal center and complex; symbolizes political power and wealth through control of trade.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Great Mosque of Djenné?

Mali (Sudano-Sahelian style)

Where is the Great Mosque of Djenné located?

Djenné, Mali

What is the time period of the Great Mosque of Djenné?

Founded c. 1200 CE; current structure rebuilt 1907.

What are the form and materials of the Great Mosque of Djenné?

Adobe (mud brick); wooden toron beams; ostrich egg finials.

What is the content of the Great Mosque of Djenné?

Hypostyle hall; three large minarets on the qibla wall.

What is the function of the Great Mosque of Djenné?

Islamic worship center; community gathering space for the Crepissage (annual replastering) festival.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba?

Edo peoples (Benin Empire)

Where is the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba located?

Benin (modern-day Nigeria)

What is the time period of the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba?

16th century (c. 1500–1700 CE)

What are the form and materials of the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba?

Cast brass; lost-wax casting technique; high relief.

What is the content of the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba?

Oba (king) in center with attendants; hierarchical scale (Oba is largest).

What is the function of the Wall Plaque from the Palace of the Oba?

Records royal history and glorifies the Oba; decorated the pillars of the royal palace.

What is the tribe or culture associated with Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool)?

Ashanti peoples

Where is Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool) located?

South-central Ghana

What is the time period of Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool)?

c. 1700 CE

What are the form and materials of Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool)?

Gold over wood; cast-gold attachments (bells and figures).

What is the content of Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool)?

Sacred seat on a base; symbol of divine kingship.

What is the function of Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool)?

Symbol of Ashanti unity and soul; never sat upon; acts as the spiritual center of the nation.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul?

Kuba peoples

Where is the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul located?

Democratic Republic of the Congo

What is the time period of the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul?

c. 1760–1780 CE

What are the form and materials of the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul?

Carved wood; polished with palm oil.

What is the content of the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul?

King sitting cross-legged; holding a royal drum (shody) with his personal emblem (ibol).

What is the function of the Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul?

Commemorative portrait; preserves the history/memory of the king after death.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi)?

Kongo peoples

Where is the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi) located?

Democratic Republic of the Congo

What is the time period of the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi)?

Late 19th century (c. 1500–1800 CE origins)

What are the form and materials of the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi)?

Wood and metal (nails, blades); abdominal cavity for medicine.

What is the content of the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi)?

Aggressive, stylized human figure with eyes often made of porcelain/mirrors.

What is the function of the Power Figure (Nkisi n’kondi)?

Enforces oaths; resolves legal disputes; healing rituals; protection from evil.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Female (Pwo) Mask?

Chokwe peoples

Where is the Female (Pwo) Mask located?

Democratic Republic of the Congo

What is the time period of the Female (Pwo) Mask?

Late 19th to early 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Female (Pwo) Mask?

Wood, fiber, pigment, and metal.

What is the content of the Female (Pwo) Mask?

Idealized female face; white kaolin around eyes; scarification marks.

What is the function of the Female (Pwo) Mask?

Honors female ancestors and fertile mothers; performed by male dancers in celebrations.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Portrait Mask (Mblo)?

Baule peoples

Where is the Portrait Mask (Mblo) located?

Côte d’Ivoire

What is the time period of the Portrait Mask (Mblo)?

Early 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Portrait Mask (Mblo)?

Carved wood and pigment; highly polished surface.

What is the content of the Portrait Mask (Mblo)?

Owie Kimou portrait; depicts a specific respected individual with stylized features.

What is the function of the Portrait Mask (Mblo)?

Used in Gbagba (secular entertainment) performances to honor community members.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Bundu Mask?

Sande Society, Mende peoples

Where is the Bundu Mask located?

Sierra Leone and Liberia

What is the time period of the Bundu Mask?

19th to 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Bundu Mask?

Carved wood helmet mask; black-stained surface.

What is the content of the Bundu Mask?

Small mouth/nose; high forehead; rolls of fat at the neck (symbolizes health/fertility).

What is the function of the Bundu Mask?

Initiation ceremony for young girls; only mask traditionally worn by women.

What is the tribe or culture associated with Ikenga (Shrine Figure)?

Igbo peoples

Where is the Ikenga (Shrine Figure) located?

Nigeria

What is the time period of the Ikenga (Shrine Figure)?

c. 19th to 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Ikenga (Shrine Figure)?

Carved wood; anthropomorphic or abstract.

What is the content of the Ikenga (Shrine Figure)?

Human figure with prominent horns (strength); often holding objects like tools or heads.

What is the function of the Ikenga (Shrine Figure)?

Personal shrine to one's right hand; symbolizes status, success, and achievement.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Lukasa (Memory Board)?

Mbudye Society, Luba peoples

Where is the Lukasa (Memory Board) located?

Democratic Republic of the Congo

What is the time period of the Lukasa (Memory Board)?

c. 19th to 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Lukasa (Memory Board)?

Wood, beads, and metal pins.

What is the content of the Lukasa (Memory Board)?

Abstract tactile arrangement of beads; hour-glass shape for easy holding.

What is the function of the Lukasa (Memory Board)?

Mnemonic device to recall historical events, genealogy, and cultural lore.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Aka Elephant Mask?

Bamileke peoples

Where is the Aka Elephant Mask located?

Cameroon

What is the time period of the Aka Elephant Mask?

c. 19th to 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Aka Elephant Mask?

Wood, woven raffia, cloth, and glass beads.

What is the content of the Aka Elephant Mask?

Stylized elephant face with long trunk and large ears; geometric bead patterns.

What is the function of the Aka Elephant Mask?

Performances by the Kuosi society to show power/status and honor the king.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri)?

Fang peoples

Where is the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri) located?

Southern Cameroon / Gabon

What is the time period of the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri)?

c. 19th to 20th century

What are the form and materials of the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri)?

Wood and pigment; oily surface.

What is the content of the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri)?

Stylized human figure with mix of infant and adult traits (cycle of life).

What is the function of the Reliquary Guardian Figure (Byeri)?

Guards ancestral remains in boxes; protects from evil and ensures connection to ancestors.

What is the tribe or culture associated with the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise?

Olowe of Ise (Yoruba peoples)

Where is the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise located?

Nigeria

What is the time period of the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise?

c. 1910–1914 CE

What are the form and materials of the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise?

Carved wood; pigment; slender vertical orientation.

What is the content of the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise?

Enthroned King and Senior Wife; hierarchical scale (wife is taller than the seated king).

What is the function of the Veranda Post of Olowe of Ise?

Architectural support for royal palace; visually reinforces royal authority and the role of the wife.