Studied by 1 person
(Conical Tower of Zimbabwe) Purpose of large conical tower?
Held grains to affirm generosity of shona ruler to ppl.
(Conical Tower of Zimbabwe) How were large walls and structures constructed?
Ashlar Masonry
(Conical Tower of Zimbabwe) Function of site?
Royal city-state trading center
(Great Mosque of Djenne) Three features of typical mosque architecture seen here?
Minarets, courtyard, and prayer hall
(Great Mosque of Djenne) What is on top of each minaret, why?
Ostrich egg-local symbol of fertility and purity
(Great Mosque of Djenne) 3 unique features of this mosque?
Ostrich eggs, adobe mud, and torons
(Great Mosque of Djenne) What purpose does the annual preservation event have for the building?
People work together to fix temporal external surfaces (adobe)
(Wall Plaque from Oba’s Palace) What visual symbols communicate the status of the oba?
Hierarchy of scale (size of importance)
(Wall Plaque from Oba’s Palace) This material is gained through trade with who?
Portuguese
(Wall Plaque from Oba’s Palace) The representation of the king coral beads and the use of brass communicate what?
Wealth coming to the Benin Kingdom
(Wall Plaque from Oba’s Palace) What was the function of the plaque in its original context?
Depicts the history of the royal lineage of Benin’s obas.
(Golden Stool) What is the material of the stool?
Carved wood covered in gold
(Golden Stool) Why is the stool place sideways on its own throne>
So sacred that no one can sit on it
(Golden Stool) Why does the golden stool retain its original function today?
Remained w community it belongs to
(Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul) Who does this sculpture represent?
Idealized rep. of a king
(Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul) What is an ibol?
Ibol- identity of ndop (region)
(Ndop of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul) Why do the proportions of the figure exaggerate the size of the head?
Shows intelligence
(Nkisi N’ Kondi) What is placed in the hole in the stomach and why?
Sacred substances “Medicine”
(Nkisi N’ Kondi) Why are sharp objects punctured?
Activates the spiritual power inside figure.
(Ikenga Shrine Figure) Who would own an object like this?
Men
(Ikenga Shrine Figure) What do the horns symbolize?
Aggressive strength
(Ikenga Shrine Figure) What is the function?
Symbol of patrons
(Lukasa mem board) How is a lukasa mem. board read?
Held in left hand, read by right finger
(Lukasa mem board) What is the mbudye society?
Council of men and women trained to read boards
(Lukasa mem board) What is the function of a lukasa mem board?
A mnemonic device in retelling oral legends
(Byeri Reliquary Figure) How is it preserved?
(Byeri Reliquary Figure) Why would the object sculpt. sit on be important to the culture?
Historically nomadic ppl and did not practice earthen burial
(Byeri Reliquary Figure) What function does this sculpture serve for wh culture?
Guardian of ancestral remains/totem/talisman
(Opo ogoga veranda post) Who is the artist?
Olowe of Ise
(Opo ogoga veranda post) What are common att. of this artist’s work?
Architectural funct./Elongated forms/negative space
(Female Pwo mask) What culture?
Chokwe ppl
(Female Pwo mask) How does the mask depict cultural artistic traditions?
Ideal, graceful, and wise woman
(Female Pwo mask) What type of person would perform this mask?
Male dancer
(Portrait mask (Mblo)) How is this mask diff from other african masks?
Honors a particular individual
(Portrait mask (Mblo)) This mask would be used during a ceremony with what purpose?
Celebrate/honor the MVP
(AKA elephant mask) How were the beads obtained?
Trade w Euro
(AKA elephant mask) Why is mask shaped like an elephant?
Associated w power and kings
(AKA elephant mask) What is function of event during which mask is performed?
Supports power of king and success of kingdom
(Bundu mask) What do the neck rings rep?
Healthy body fat for fertility
(Bundu mask) How do typical visual characteristic of the mask reflect the cultural values of the society?
illustrate ideal beauty/morality
(Bundu mask) What is unique abt who was authorized to wear and perform in this mask?
Mende Females only
(Bundu mask) What is the sande society?
adulthood
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Flashcard (63)