Africa Holly

In Africa masks can be traced back to well past Palaeolithic times. These art objects were, and are still made of various materials; included are leather, metal, fabric and various types of wood. African masks are considered amongst the finest creations in the art world and are highly sought after by art collectors. Many of the pieces some replica's, can be viewed in museums and art galleries in many parts of the world. Masking ceremonies in Africa have great cultural and traditional significance. Latest developments and understanding of Aesthetic principles, religious and ceremonial values, have brought about a greater insight into the ideas and moral values that African artists express in their art.

Jewellery play important roles in African life. Indeed two key functions of jewellery in traditional African culture are worthy of mention. Africans make their jewellery out of lots of different things. The most common materials they use are; beads, bone and bamboo.

Africa's a big place, so people had very different styles of clothing in different parts of Africa. And this page covers a lot of time, from the Stone Age to the middle Ages, so there were also a lot of changes in clothing during that time. People in Africa seem to have started wearing clothing around 75,000 years ago -at least, that's about the time that the first body lice got started, and lice need clothing to live in. The first clothing was made out of animal skins - leather and fur shawls and loincloths. And the first jewellery was probably made of seashells and feathers.

ADINKRAHEN E

"chief of adinkra symbols"

greatness, charisma, leadership

AKOBEN

"war horn"

vigilance, wariness

AKOFENA

"sword of war" courage, valour

"the leg of a hen"

AKOKONAN

•

mercy, nurturing

AKOMA

• "the heart"

AKOMA NTOSO

"linked hearts"

understanding, agreement

ANANSE NTONTAN

"spider's web"

wisdom, creativity

ASASE YE DURU

"the Earth has weight"

divinity of Mother Earth

AYA

"fern"

endurance, resourcefulness

BESE SAKA

"sack of cola nuts"

affluence, abundance, unity

patience & tolerance

BI NKA BI

"no one should bite the other"

peace, harmony

BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO

"help me and let me help you"

cooperation, interdependence