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The art of Africa

East Africa

For two millennia, East Africa has been home to powerful empires and prosperous trading cities.

c. 1 C.E.–present

Beginner's guide

What is East Africa?

  • About East Africa

Nations

Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia

c. 1 C.E.–present

  • View all content

With ancient Christian roots, Ethiopia is home to magnificent churches and monasteries.

Christian Ethiopian art

Christian Ethiopian art

aksum-thumb

The kingdom of Aksum

Obverse: Head and shoulders bust of King Joel crowned with a cross; reverse: cross, Copper alloy coin, c. 550–600 C.E., copper alloy, minted in Aksum, modern Ethiopia (© The Trustees of the British Museum, London)

Aksumite coins

ethiopia-illuminated-gospel-thumb

Illuminated Gospel

Mehretu-thumb

Julie Mehretu, Stadia II

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Tanzania

Tanzania

Tanzania

13th–16th century C.E.

Islands off the Tanzanian coast were once home to wealthy trading cities.

Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania

Kilwa Kisiwani

Pot sherds, Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania, c. 1000 to 1500 C.E. (© The Trustees of the British Museum, London)

Kilwa pot sherds

Kenya

Kenya

Kenya

20th century C.E.–present

Magdalene Odundo, Untitled (Vessel), 1997, red clay, 50.2 x 33 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Magdalene Odundo, Untitled (Vessel)

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece, 1990, terracotta, 40.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm (Brooklyn Museum)

Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece

All content | East Africa

Monasteries, manuscripts, and more.

<em>Olubugo</em> (Barkcloth)
Olubugo (Barkcloth)
A Qur’an manuscript from coastal East Africa
A Qur’an manuscript from coastal East Africa
<em>Gospel Book</em><br>Getty Conversations
Gospel Book
Getty Conversations
Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece
Magdalene Anyango N. Odundo, Symmetrical Reduced Black Narrow-Necked Tall Piece
City of Aksum
City of Aksum
Kilwa pot sherds
Kilwa pot sherds
An Ethiopian icon
An Ethiopian icon
Christian Ethiopian art
Christian Ethiopian art
About East Africa
About East Africa
Magdalene Odundo, Untitled (Vessel)
Magdalene Odundo, Untitled (Vessel)
Illuminated Gospel
Illuminated Gospel
Aksumite Coins
Aksumite Coins
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Selected Contributors

Stephen Battle

Dr. Christa Clarke

Dr. Jacopo Gnisci

Dr. Peri Klemm

Dr. Allison Young

Dr. Steven Zucker

Smarthistory

The British Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

UNESCO

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