ART 357 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Omen
Document Summary
Africa divided up arbitrarily between colonial european and muslim powers. Destroyed communities, took minerals and resources, imposed religion. Divided communities and clumped tribes that didn"t get along together, didn"t think of ethnic. Very sophisticated african societies used to thrive groups or trade partners. Many cultures weren"t literate, were oral traditions. Assume abstract art and lack of literacy means lack of intelligence. Art were functioning objects rather than just works of art. Resisted converting to islam and retained culture. Cliffs and caves near to where they live. Take souls of people who have died between dama rituals and send them to spirit. Close connection between one"s ancestors as spirits and society world. Men go to caves on edge of cliffs, repaint them. Bottom of kanaga mask looks like buzzard or bird, top part like person, Sirige mask: dance is symbolization of rotation of earth on its axis. Male chi wara antelope headdress, bamana dancing. Used in time of planting and harvesting.
