AFRICAN BEFORE

1800

PRISCILLA AMOFAH
NEXI
Prehistory
 Africa is a vast continent of 52 nations
comprising more than one-fifth of the
world’s land mass and many distinct
topographical and ecological zones.
 Africa has more than 2,000 distinct
ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups
often called “tribes”.
 These population groups historically have
ranged in sizes from a few hundred in
hunting and gathering to 10 or 20 million
or more.
 African people share many core beliefs
and practices.
 Some of these include honoring
ancestors, worshipping nature deities and
elevating rulers to sacred status. Most
people also consult diviners or fortune
tellers.
 These beliefs have given rise to many
richly expressive art traditions including
rock engraving and painting, body
decorations, masquerades etc.
Prehistory

African body art is used by men and

women for a variety of different purposes
Nearly all African lavished artistic energy
on the decoration of their own bodies to
express their identity and status and
many communities mounted richly
layered festivals including masquerades,
to celebrate harvests and the New Year
and to commemorate the death of
leaders.
ART AND LEADERSHIP IN
AFRICA
The relationships between leaders
and art forms are strong, complex,
and universal in Africa. Political,
spiritual and social leaders