Art of Ancient Africa

In 1919, a German scientist found a sculpture, which contradicted everything Europeans thought about African art. He believed that it may have come from Atlantis-- a city that was wiped out in one day. It was discovered to be an African piece--not from Atlantis.  It has value because it was found in Naval of Civilization. 

Most important locations

* Jenne (Located in modern-day Mali)

* Igbo Ukwu (Nigeria)

* Kongo Kingdom (M'banza)

* Blombos cave (South Africa)

South Africa

EX: found in Blombos Cave | Intentional design carved into rock, shows abstract (thought of in head and represented)

* Dates back more than 70,000 years | As compared from believed prehistoric cave paintings, which only dated back 30,000 years ago.

* This discovery suggests that abstract thought in humans occurred much earlier than once thought

* Africa is considered the cradle of art and civilization because it contains the earliest evidence of humans, and human art.

Igbo-Ukwu

Ex: Rope surrounds case-- shows people were thoughtful in artwork, very geometric with circular design + has texture

- Had the earliest known evidence for copper alloy or bronze casting in Sub Saharan Africa

- Site containing an elite burial and shrine complex

Jenne Art

Ex: Horseman | Dogon people?!

Figures were polished, covered with a red clay slip, and fired at low temperatures.
 Slip is clay with extra water added to it; slimy. Known as slip because it can be taken and put over area already molded, filling in places.

* This figure was formed by rolls (coils) of clay, then engraved with details.--Coil used to bend and form knee. 

Jenne Architecture 

* Ex: Mosque in Jenne. Unique as has wooden beams, opening of windows; beams were made so reconstruction of mosque could be put across in scalfholding effect--planned for upkeep. 

* By the ninth century, Islam became an economic and religious force in west and north Africa

Kongo Kingdom

* Portuguese encountered Kongo culture in 1492. See below.

Timeline

In 1491 King Nzinga converted to Christianity-> Conversions solidified trade relations-> Increase in wealth-> Increase in textiles and royal regalia

Kongo Kingdom

* Ex: textile rug. Might appear scratchy, but it was actually soft and luxurious--valuable. Has geometric influence from Islam.

* Textiles were used as forms of currency

* Used in funerary rituals

* Employed a special technique that resembles velour to the touch

Further Kongo Kingdom examples

Christian symbols

* Cross: Christ's sacrifice. Was shiny and likely used in hand.

* Saint Figure: Ex symbolizes protection of women and children. 

* Royal Regalia: Saint on Handle--people of wealth and nobility would have these types of work.

Extra definitions:

  • Blombos cave: A limestone cliff in the Southern Cape Coast in South Africa.

  • Abstract thought: A simplified strategy not concrete.

  • Igbo Ukwa: A site containing an elite burial and shine complex.

  • Alloy: A mixture of at least two elements, one being a metal.

  • Jenne-Jeno: An ancient African city that archeologists believe was first settled in 200BC.

  • Slip: A thin lay based liquid which is used in the production of ceramics as either a glue to hold pieces together, or as a paint.

  • Kongo Kingdom: The most powerful of a series of states along Africa's west coast, known as the Middle Atlantic Kingdom during the middle of the 15th Century.

  • Conversion: A transformation of some kind; Usually religious in nature—Christian King Nzinga.

  • Royal regalia: Jewels, scepters, and other artifacts of the reigning royal family.