Some of the most complex rituals that have been studied by scholars are found in Nigerian cultures such as those of the Yoruba and Edo peoples, that bear some resemblances to the Western notion of theatre. [4] Since every mask has a specific spiritual meaning, most traditions comprise several different traditional masks. The traditional religion of the Dogon people of Mali, for example, comprises three main cults (the Awa or cult of the dead, the Bini or cult of the communication with the spirits, and the Lebe or cult of nature); each of these has its pantheon of spirits, corresponding to 78 different types of masks overall. It is often the case that the artistic quality and complexity of a mask reflects the relative importance of the portrayed spirit in the systems of beliefs of a particular people; for example, simpler masks such as the kple kple of the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire (essentially a circle with minimal eyes, mouth and horns) are associated to minor spirits. [5] Subject and style[edit] African masks are usually shaped after a human face or some animal's muzzle, albeit rendered
unanimous voices mention television shows such as "The Walking Dead" to movies such as "Dawn of the Dead" The descriptive details of undead hoards of brain eating creatures and sexually alluring men in the darkness of the night, sucking the blood of innocent women are common place. The modern views of these creatures are very similar. Both are known to be 'undead' which is defined as "technically dead but still animated" in the Oxford's Dictionary. Both creatures are driven by a instinctive hunger for sustenance from living victims. But surely this cannot be all there is to them.
This type of mask was often associated with secret societies, especially in Africa, which has the greatest variety of masks on Earth. In ancient Egypt priests used masks to represent gods. Masks were also placed upon the face of mummies to keep alive the appearance of the deceased after death or to give a boost to him and his image. Masks use different facial features such as idealizing human features, frightening features, animal features and naturalistic features to give a deeper meaning to what the mask is meant to express. Masks were often used as a form of ranking in villages, for example a mighty warrior who is known to have a lot of strength would be presented with a mask that would describe this type of strength (e.g.
Both of these sources offered interesting insight into the ways of life across the African nations. At the art museum, I noticed that many of the objects depicted gods and spirits. I saw masks that were worn for religious ceremonies. There were also many statues of gods. These objects were different among the different regions, but they were each representative of gods.
For many indigenous peoples, the natural world is a valued source of food, health, spirituality and identity. Land is both a critical resource that sustains life and a major cause of struggle and even death. Each indigenous culture is distinct and unique. While many peoples may express similar worldviews and a common indigenous identity, their cultures are nonetheless based on different histories, environments, and creative spirits. (www.indigenouspeople.net/) Here in Trinidad indigenous people existed for over 6,000 years before the arrival of Columbus, and numbered at least 40,000 at the time of Spanish settlement in 1592.
Each one had their own laws, government, police, and services. Kind of like they were a small country. They still had to obey Canada's laws though. Kwakiutl Indians were artists known for their basketry and wood carving art. They made Totem poles thinking they were religious carvings.
Nigerian art comprises of ivory carving, grass weaving, wood carving, leather and calabash. Pottery, painting, cloth weaving and glass and metal works are other important forms of Nigerian art. Nigeria as a country has got great diversity. These are the traditional arts and they are practiced still. However in the present days, art not only includes sculptures, paintings and masks, but a lot more.
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.
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
Many practitioners of traditional African religions worshipped a high god usually associated with the high skies, and other deities that were associated with natural features such as mountains, rivers and trees. Africans also looked to witchdoctors, shamans and other specialists in the sacred to use their divine powers to contact the spirits of ancestors and recently deceased relatives. In addition these people used their powers to bless and curse the living. Many African religions did not subscribe to scriptures of any kind, relying instead on oral transmission, visual symbols and rituals. In many sub-Saharan African countries, there are several churches that subscribe to traditional African religious practices.