subject: The African Wheel: Traditional African Arts And Crafts [print this page] African Art has something special about itAfrican Art has something special about it. African art hasn't changed dramatically from the Stone Age till today which shows in the traditional types of every type of art, whether it is African masks, African fabrics, African instruments, African ladies Handbags, African carvings and actually all manner of African art and crafts.
It's not that symbolic African crafts and arts are only desirable in Africa; this talent has a following worldwide. Art appreciators realize that the creation of African masks and African instruments have a specific legacy. Means of the creation of these items of an artistic nature happen to be passed down by word of mouth from father to son and mother to daughter for eons. The key for the creation of these pieces continues to be for spiritual as well as practical purposes.
Traditional African fabrics are usually created using the batik method; this essentially implies that the fabrics have been printed with designs utilizing a hand dying method. Making the fabrics unique in addition to individual, much more in the type of African arts and crafts than the machine woven or dyed cloth that's prevalent in western societies.
The development of African Masks dates long ago into history and some happen to be know to have been created further back in its history than the Paleolithic era. Generally made from wood, African masks will also be manufactured using leather, metal and fabric. They're highly prized and desired today as art pieces however the original intention for them was for ceremonial purposes. The African mask traditionally represents a god or spirit and also the wearer was believed to be possessed through the spirit represented by the mask.
While African ladies handbags may be believed by some to be a more sophisticated art form, they have in fact a really rich history. Although more traditionally worn by males. Generally worn hidden under clothing to retain the proceeds of an unattainable task to be able to win the heart of their beloved. A Mossi (Burkina Fasso) proverb even says "What remains in the bag is superior to what's been taken away"
Interestingly African instruments are also much sought after by art collectors and musicians alike. The banjo, thought to be a western instrument is of African historical origin and hand drumming is extremely specific throughout the entire continent of Africa as a way to support ritual dance. Many African cultures used African musical instruments to defend against evil spirits. African music is viewed as being dynamic and very functional, unlike western music that's designed to merely dance or pay attention to.
African Carvings are very pertinent to African cultureand takes the type of many varieties of them, the most typical themes in African carving of individuals are a couple, a woman and child, males having a weapon or animal along with a stranger or outsider. African Carving also takes the form of common household utensils. Bowls might be carved from stone or wood. The standard Zulu meat or "nyamaa bowl is carved from wood.
Essentially African crafts and arts have a rich cultural background and are widely sought after by collectors and art appreciators around the world.
