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African folk art consists of a variety of items: household objects, metal objects, toys, textiles, masks, and wood sculpture. Most traditional African art meets many definitions of folk art generally, or at least did so until relatively recent dates.
African art is produced using a wide range of materials and takes many distinct shapes. Because wood is a prevalent material, wood sculptures make up the majority of African art. Other materials used in creating African art include clay soil. Jewelry is a popular art form used to indicate rank, affiliation with a group, or purely aesthetics. [16]
Beadwork is common in East Africa and Southern Africa although it is still used in other parts of Africa including Nigeria and Ethiopia. West Africa: In Nigeria Hausa, Nupe and Yoruba have variable embroidery used on their flowing gowns which Yoruba called Agbada robes [ 26 ] that are worn by Muslim West African men and those with high social ...
Women used the fabrics as a method of communication and expression, with certain patterns being used as a shared language, with widely understood meanings. Many patterns began receiving catchy names. Over time, the prints became more African-inspired, and African-owned by the mid-20th century.
These motifs are named for either the part of the natural environment they resemble, the method of execution used to make the design, or the abstract shape they form. [4] For example, the isnwaogi motif is named for the three-lobed nut, and the aswolago motif is for after the snake. [ 10 ]
The designs and motifs in kente cloth are traditionally abstract, but some weavers also include words, numbers and symbols in their work. [3] Example messages include adweneasa , which translates as 'I've exhausted my skills', is a highly decorated type of kente with weft -based patterns woven into every available block of plain weave.
The other motifs are typical of the older adinkras. It is now on display in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden. [12] In November 2020, a school board in York, Pennsylvania, banned "a children's coloring book that featured African Adrinkra [sic] symbols found in fabrics, logos and pottery." [13] The decision was subsequently overturned. [14]
Often decorated with various colors and motifs, contemporary vessels are used for both practical utilitarian purposes such as carrying water or storing foods and ceremonial purposes. [ 12 ] Popular Western perceptions of art as works removed from daily life have resulted in a misunderstanding of the abstract meanings applied to potted vessels ...