Masks
Masks are one of the main forms of primitive African art. Among African tribes, masks of Africa are believed to portray the faces of gods and spirits. Because of this; African masks are very often designed with the characteristics of animals and humans. Dance is commonly involved in the use of the masks of Africa. These masks were made using a variety of materials, including metal, leather, fabric and different types of wood. The main material was wood because of the large forests and choice of species existing. Occasionally, specific tribes would use ivory or brass to create their masks.
Christian Fink
Primitive African sculpture mostly depicted figures, representing the human form and was fashioned mainly from clay in the early years. As time went on, the people of Africa learned to create their figurative statues out of wood primarily, but they also discovered how to sculpt metals, such as copper and ivory. Christian Fink
Tribes
Tibe: Dogon
Location: Mali
The Dogon tribe does a lot of sculptures, bronze castings and masks. Their sculptures are not left publicly on show, and kept within households, in sanctuaries or with the Hogon, their leader.
Tibe: Ibo (Igbo)
Location: South East Nigeria
Grouping the Igbo people’s art style would be tricky as they cover a lot of styles, but like many other African tribes they design masks and jewellery, as well as outfits and costumes.
Tribe: Ibibio
Location: South East Nigeria
Ibibio people are also known for their mask designs, but an important element in their culture is music, especially drumming. Wooden sculptures are also made which are supposed to ward off evil spirits.
Tribe: Fang
Location: Gabon Rainforests
Main types of art made by the Fang people are masks, baskets, carvings and sculptures.
Tribe: Kota
Location: Nilgiris mountains, India
The Kota people’s art materials differ from other African tribes slightly, being based largely around Copper and Brass material. Sculptures and guardian like figures are made from these materials which is part of their mystical ways known as Bwete.
More useful equipment such as pots, stools, knifes and baskets were known to be more delicately created, decorated with detailed patterns.
Tribe: Bambara
Location: West Africa, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Senegal
The Bambara people chose more traditional methods such as weaving, pottery, and also wooden carvings.
One quite abstract form of art I’ve found from these people which I like is the Chiwara (or Tyi Wara), which are representations of antelope which are used a lot for agricultural purposes in their culture.
Tribe: Malinke
Location: West Africa, Mali
The Malinke create unique looking statues which have rounder foreheads, sharp noses and very square mouths which are shown on the image.
Tribe: Bobo
Location: Burkina Faso and Mali
Much like the Dogon, the Bobo tribe primarily make art largely from Bronze materials. They make jewellery which is based around protecting themselves from spirits. Bush cows, buffaloes and tick birds are more commonly found made into jewellery. Their god is called Wuro and cannot be described or represented visually (by sculpture). Whenever the Bobo people take something from nature or plant crops, they ask permission from Wuro and nature spirits first; they believe in a sense of equilibrium with nature.
A lot of these tribes art influenced Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee around the start of the 20th century starting with this piece called Les Demoiselles d’Avignon made in 1907 by Picasso. The faces on some of the people in the painting definitely look inspired by African masks. The abstract structure of the face (nose, face shape, eye placements etc) is a giveaway. He then moved onto Cubism where his work continued to be inspired by their culture and works. Much of his later works also continued a similar facial structure as shown below; this piece was made in 1968.
Mark Summersbee
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