Ahmed Baba relates both formally and conceptually to Ndoye’s experiences in Timbuktu and his participation in the 2013 workshop organized in the aftermath of—and in response to—the destruction of cultural heritage.
Dr. Christa Clarke
Ahmed Baba relates to Ndoye’s experiences in Timbuktu and his participation in the 2013 workshop organized in the aftermath of—and in response to—the destruction of cultural heritage.
Abdoulaye Ndoye, Ahmed Baba
In style, the Dejì’s robe is an example of the type of large, loose-fitting gowns worn by elite men as prestige attire across western Africa.
Ceremonial robe (agbádá ìlèkè), Yoruba artist
This wrapper by Guancho Diarra is a classic example of a long-standing Malian textile tradition.
Guancho Diarra, woman’s wrapper (bògòlanfini)
A relatively humble example of Xhosa beadwork became a potent symbol of tradition as well as a statement of defiance in South Africa.
Beaded collar (ingqosha), Xhosa artist, South Africa
The boubou is a distinctive type of prestige dress worn by well-to-do men and women across a wide swath of western Africa.
Man’s robe (boubou or kusaibi), unrecorded Mandinka ...
The art of adire is one of continual change and innovation adapting to shifting social and economic circumstances.
Ibadandun woman’s wrapper, unrecorded Yoruba artist
These decorated aprons were gifts from the groom’s family to his wife, and signified her new role in society.
Married Woman’s Apron (itjogolo or ijogolo), Ndebele ...
This exceptional mask has a solid wooden core carved with two similar faces in opposing directions, often referred to as a Janus face.
Janus-Faced Headdress (Ejagham or Bale peoples)
By the sixteenth century, Western trade involved Africans being forcibly brought to the Americas as slaves.
Africa historical overview: from the 1600s to ...
Recent discoveries in southern Africa provide remarkable evidence of the earliest stirrings of human creativity.
Africa historical overview: to 1600
![Seydou Keïta, Untitled [Seated Woman with Chevron Print Dress], 1956, printed 1997, Mali, Bamako, gelatin silver print, 60.96 x 50.8 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)](https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/screen-shot-2016-10-15-at-8-42-48-am-524x350.png)
Studio photography produced mementos for the growing middle class: Keïta’s Bamako studio was abuzz with clients.
Seydou Keïta, Untitled (Seated Woman with Chevron ...
What kinds of cultural biases have shaped African collections in Western museums?
Western appreciation of African art
The artistic enhancement of functional objects can reflect and reinforce an individual’s social status.
Art and the individual
In transitional periods, art objects are often employed to assist rites of passage and reinforce community values.
Rites of passage
Art has always played a role in African politics—both in large kingdoms and smaller, village-based societies.
Art and politics
In addition to local indigenous religions, Christianity and Islam are also practiced throughout Africa.
Religion and the Spiritual Realm
Odundo’s vessels may be described as variations on a theme, in which subtle modifications of form have great aesthetic impact
Magdalene Odundo, Untitled (Vessel)
Studio photography produced mementos for the growing middle class: Keïta’s Bamako studio was abuzz with clients.
Seydou Keïta, Untitled (Seated Woman with Chevron ...
This 15th century manuscript is based on Egyptian Coptic sources, but its creators imbued it with local flair.
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