Evidence of civilization in Africa dates back to approximately 70,000 years ago, one of the oldest sites of human civilization. The continent of Africa contains may diverse and unique elements, Northen Africa along the Nile was dominated by the Egyptians from as early as 6,000 BCE, Phonecians and Greeks settled along the Mediterranean coast between c. 1000-300 BCE, and it also became part of both the Roman and Islamic empires. The attraction to Northern Africa was predominatly goods that were traded to Europe, via the Saharan trade routes, which included gold, ivory, salt, spices, leather, cotton, and slaves. Southern Africa remained more indiginous, developing its own unique culture. The development of cultures within the continent are listed below:
Early Saharan Civilizations Sub-Saharan Civilizations: Nok Igbo-Ukwu Ife Benin Urban Centers: Jenne Zimbabwe Kongo |
Prior to the drying out of the Sahara, civilizations existed within this wide region of Northern Africa. The earliest artistic evidence found is located at sights in present-day Algeria. This early artwork is found in the mountains of this region, of Northern Algeria and Libya, in the form of painting. Known as "rock art", this form of painting covers the rock walls of these vast mountains. The contents of the paintings are important because they document the beginings of civilization and the cultural development of this area, and also the transformation of the Sahara region from a fertile grassland to the largest arid expanse of desert in the world. Rock art of the early Saharan civilizations are not the only early cultures to use painting in such a way to capture the world around them, a similar practice occured in the West around the same time period. The painting in the caves of Lascaux in south France and Altamira in Spain share many similarities to the rock art found in Northern Africa. Dating back to approximately 15,000 BCE, the caves of Lascaux contain some of the oldest pre-historic paintings. Similarly, the caves in Northern Spain at Altamira which date roughly from the same time period of the Upper Paleolithic, or Old Stone Age, were the first sites of this kind to be discovered. Despite the approximate 7,000 year difference between the Western caves and the Saharan rock paintings from about 8,000 BCE, the subjects painted, the methods used and the stylistic qualities appear remarkably similar.
The animals depicted in both the cave paintings and African rock art were important to these ancient people to ensure their survival. The specific reasons for these animal paintings are attributed to the need to acquire food through hunting, and by painting the animals' likeness on the wall of the cave or mountain, has been noted to "capture the animals' soul". The stenciled hand images are mysterious, their purpose is unknown. The method used, though is the same in both the European caves, and African mountains, it is called the spray technique, and reveals a stencil of the human hand.
Artworks from the Sub-Saharan African civilizations, the Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife and Benin, are mostly in the form of sculpture. The Nok civilization which was established south of the Sahara in present-day Nigeria is known mostly for their use of iron working and terra-cotta sculpture. Terra cotta is a medium that has also been used by the ancient Etruscans and the Chinese peoples of the Qin dynasty for the same purpose; to model human likeness. The sculptures found on the Jos plateau, where the Niger and Benue rivers converge, were broken into pieces from floods centuries before that lifted them from their original place, and deposited them into this site. Mostly only the heads of these sculptures survive intact. Stylistic elements of the face include geometrically shaped features: triangular eyes, a wide nose with rounded nostrils, and a diamond shaped mouth. Other African cultures such as the Ife also work in this highly geometric style. This stylization would highly influence European artists of the 20th century, and excavations and new discoveries of these artifacts influenced entire movements in 20th century European art.
Artworks from the Sub-Saharan African civilizations, the Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife and Benin, are mostly in the form of sculpture. The Nok civilization which was established south of the Sahara in present-day Nigeria is known mostly for their use of iron working and terra-cotta sculpture. Terra cotta is a medium that has also been used by the ancient Etruscans and the Chinese peoples of the Qin dynasty for the same purpose; to model human likeness. The sculptures found on the Jos plateau, where the Niger and Benue rivers converge, were broken into pieces from floods centuries before that lifted them from their original place, and deposited them into this site. Mostly only the heads of these sculptures survive intact. Stylistic elements of the face include geometrically shaped features: triangular eyes, a wide nose with rounded nostrils, and a diamond shaped mouth. Other African cultures such as the Ife also work in this highly geometric style. This stylization would highly influence European artists of the 20th century, and excavations and new discoveries of these artifacts influenced entire movements in 20th century European art.
The Igbo-Ukwu culture was known mostly for their advancements with metal casting. The lost-wax technique was also used by the ancient Greeks when bronze casting. The Igbo-Ukwu used this technique to create ceremonial objects out of copper alloy. These items were covered with elaborate raised decoration, and were representative of forms found in nature. Below, a bowl is shown featuring concentric circles, symbolizing the cycle of life, and sculptures of small animals also adorn the surface area, adding to the complexity of the surface texture and design. Also shown below is a Minoan vessel known as the "Harvester Vase" because of the narrative carving on its surface. The technique used for this vessel is very different than the bronze casted bowl from the Igbo-Ukwu, rather, it is carved from steatite, a type of soapstone. The similarity between the two is that they both convey a message relative to their culture using low relief carving or sculpture. The bowl contains incised lines in a circular motif that depict the cycle of life, and living animals that are a part of this cycle. On the vase, we see a relief carving of workers laboring, who appear to be singing, giving us an understanding of daily life practices of these people.
The Ife people of southwestern Nigeria are also known for a unique style of sculpture. Ife sculpture is characterized by naturalism, which makes it different from other African sculpture, and closely relates to characteristics found in ancient Egyptian and ancient Roman sculpture, specifically busts and portraits. The time difference, though is an important consideration to take into account. Even though there is over a thousand years separating the portraiture of the ancient Romans and the portrait sculptures of the Ife people, there are some remarkable parallels between the two cultures.
The zinc brass head was cast using the lost wax method, and shows delicately incised lines revealing the practice of scarification that curve around the subtle contours of the king's face. The holes around the hairline were made most likely to accommodate a crown or headdress that was to be attached. Like other African cultures, using a combination of different assembled materials was a common practice. There is a predominant sensitivity to detail that both portraits share, except for the strong facial expression of the Roman emperor that allows us to understand the pressures of running a vast, powerful empire.
Below are two sculptures that share similar stylistic qualities. The one on the left is from the urban center of Jenné, which is present-day Mali, in western Africa. It is formed out of sculpted terra cotta, and shows a rider on horseback. The stylization of the piece includes geometric formation of the heads of the horse and man, the linear, symmetrical balance of the body of the horse, which is also carried into the body of the rider, showing an equally-weighted elongated form. The intricate detail of the horse's bridle and the rider's helmet add complexity to the simple form. Similarly, the sculpture on the right shows the same components: simplified geometric formation, clarified by a few intricate details. This sculpture dates back thousands of years, and is one of the earliest known styles of Greek sculpture, from the Cyclades. Instead of modeling the form out of a soft material like terra cotta, the artist used a subtractive method and carved away the figure from marble. Despite the differences between the two sculptures, there is a relative similarity of style and form.
Interdisciplinary Lesson Plans that Include the Art of Africa
Public Broadcasting Service:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/index.html
Utah State University: Lessons for Early Elementary:
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-africa/aindex.htm
Stanford University:
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/africaneducation/teaching-africa-K12.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/index.html
Utah State University: Lessons for Early Elementary:
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-africa/aindex.htm
Stanford University:
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/africaneducation/teaching-africa-K12.html