Masks Of Africa Since the earliest times masks have played an important role in the culture of Africa. Masks have varied in appearance and function. Many masks are associated with religious ceremonies, myth, dance, rituals or are concerned with spirits of the dead, rites, or even curing sickness. The mask has been used by the Africans mainly to solve major human and social problems. When a man wears a mask his identity is hidden and the expression on the mask projects a new identity.
Several different forms include: masks, soapstone carvings, walking canes, ebony carvings, jewelry, musical instruments, and music. Masks are a very big part of African tribes’ culture and religion. Masks were worn in harvest festivals, initiation rites, war preparations, peace gatherings, and ceremonies for reunions, deaths, births, and marriage. The masks were typically made of wood, bronze, brass, copper, and ivory, and decorated using, colored beads, bone, animal skins and vegetable fibers. Soapstone carvings are usually found and made in Kenya.
First, both religions entered Africa through trade routes, and the both had some lasting significance in East Africa. Islam and Christianity both also ended up gaining more significance than traditional African religions. For example, Islam’s influence over most of the North half of the continent ended up unifying city states and groups under one religion, and gave rise to massive population centers with education being highly valued, such as in Timbuktu. Similarly, Christianity allowed Ethiopia to have a stable history due to the fact that religion did not change much from
Islam also linked Africa more closely to the outside world through trade, religion, and politics. Through trade and long-distance commerce, many parts of the continent were able to be linked to regions beyond Muslim invasion. Another effect was now fundamental teaching of Islam, the idea that Muslims are equally made, brought the acceptance of rulers easier. The spread of Islam into
Most forms of coastal art in East Africa are characterized by geometric patterns and bold, vibrant lively designs (an influence from the Islamic cultural faith and arts) This was brought upon by the trade in Africa, whereby some of the fist settlers in the coastal regions were Arabs, bringing with them their Islamic influences in terms of architecture and design. Parts of Mombasa, a coastal town in Kenya are now referred to as ‘Old Town’, and are host to many ruins of the Muslim world such as ‘Fort Jesus’. The town consists of mosques once heavily adorned in intricate designs, but now old and un-kept remain as reminders of what they once were. After the defeat of the Portuguese, the Omani Arabs controlled the coast of East Africa (1697-1888), and it is this Arabic influence that can be traced around Mombasa town. Old town for example is renowned for its impressive carved doors.
Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press. Although unrelated ritual that exit today in West Africa, most traditional dances have been connected to or are performed during religious ceremonies. Since such ceremonies are public events, in most cases, officials and elders presence are required and must be able dancers. Dance in Africa is not a separate art, but a part of the whole complex of living. For Africans, the magic of all life is experienced.
Now this might be true of all the four areas in this time however with History the actual language it was told in was very important to the History itself. For example in the tribes that habited parts of West Africa they passed down their history in chants set to drum beat where the language of the ‘songs’ where set in time with the rhythm and was used to depict the mood of the historical story. Also in the same tribes they had their own individual words for certain things in their life style that others with a different history wouldn’t understand like the ojobwa word “assiniboin” which literally translates as ones who cook using stones or “Peoria” which refers to carrying a pack on his back. Both these words relate to their history of hunter gathers and of travelling over the land carrying their few belongings and wouldn’t make sense if used to tell British history and so history is dependent on the language it is told in do define it and explain it properly and authentically. Maths and science as areas of knowledge although are taught and recorded in language they are comenly agreed on to have only one answer
The continent of Africa is very diverse in its culture. Not only are there culture variations from one country to another, but within an individual country as well. Much of Africa’s cultural activity centers on family and ethnic groups. Art, music and oral literature serve to reinforce existing religious and social patterns. Many of Africa’s inhabitants are of indigenous origin, which contributes to the scientific notation that Africa was the birthplace of all human species.
Although there are differences between the Arab people from Morocco to the Persian Gulf, Arab people enjoy a common bond of history, culture and tradition. It was in the Arab world where people first developed the system of writing; scientific advances were also developed. Rich cultures like Ancient Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia began in this region. The Arab culture has had many influences but Islam has shaped the culture like no other. The message of Islam appeared for the first time in the Arabian Peninsula in the early seventh century, and soon the faith expanded across North Africa, the entire Middle East and extended to the borders of China.
There are two main aspects of Kongo religion that are quite distinctive. One is the practice of bringing down spirits of the dead to briefly inhabit the bodies of the faithful. The purpose of this is so that the ancestors may share their wisdom, providing spiritual assistance and advice to those here on Earth. Without exception, all such faiths in the Americas retain this central feature of Kongo faith. The other feature is the extensive work with Inquices (Enkises, Nkisi).