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altar (n)
surface that serves as a center of worship or ritual |
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amulet (n)
small container holding special powerful ingredients, often worn on the body as a charm for purposes of protection and sometimes placed inside important objects such as a king’s crown |
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ancestor (n)
deceased relative, either immediate or distant, from whom a family or larger group traces its origins. In some cultures, ancestors are believed to be concerned with the welfare of the community and able to bring good fortune or punishment to the living. They provide an important link to the spirit world and a source of continuity. |
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apocryphal (adj)
of dubious authenticity. Christian apocrypha are events from the lives of biblical figures or their writings that are not included as part of the New Testament of the Bible. |
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archbishop (n)
person having spiritual or church supervision in a particular region |
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artisan (n)
a skilled manual worker; a craftsperson |
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Asante
Akan-speaking culture concentrated in the forest area of south-central Ghana.
The Asante kingdom was established in the 17th century. It consolidated a number of separate states, each headed by a paramount chief under a king, or Asantehene. Many Asante visual arts are connected to verbal arts, such as folktales, proverbs, jokes, and riddles that relate metaphorically to various situations in Asante life, such as child-rearing, war, farming, politics, or religion.
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attribute (n)
object or characteristic closely associated with or belonging to a specific person or thing; in art, often used to identify representations of known individuals, such as gods or saints |
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Bamana
Mande-speaking people in southern Mali, also sometimes referred to as Bambara. The Bamana are principally agriculturalists, although many people also specialize in commerce, hunting, herbal medicines, occult activities, and the arts. Bamana sculptors are born into art-producing clans. Male sculptors work in iron and wood. Female sculptors primarily work in clay. Together, male and female sculptors constitute a category of artists that also includes blacksmiths. |
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Bankoni (adj)
The term Bankoni is used to refer to a style of figures with tubular shapes, rounded edges, and fluid contours that reflect the properties of the soft clay from which they were formed. The name comes from the village where archaeologists unearthed one such object, about six miles from Bamako, the present-day capital of Mali. Today this region is home to the Bamana people, whose ancestors made these works. |
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bas-relief (adj)
a French word meaning sculpture in which images project slightly from a flat background |
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basketry (adj)
having been produced by weaving, like a basket |
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brass (adj)
metal commonly used to make jewelry and other decorative, ritual, or functional items; usually an alloy (combination) of copper and zinc |
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bullroarer (n)
small wooden slat attached to a string that makes a roaring noise when whirled |
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burrow (n)
a hole or tunnel dug in the ground |
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byre (n)
cow barn |
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calabash (n)
gourd-like fruit from a tropical tree or vine. The hard shell of a dried calabash can be decorated and used as a vessel. |
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casting (n)
technical process that uses a mold to shape an object from molten metal |
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Chi Wara (n)
literally, “farming beast.” The name of an organization that is devoted to practical and ritual activities that encourage successful farming |
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clubfoot (n)
a birth deformity of the foot |
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coiffure (n)
hairstyle |
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colobus monkey (n)
ferocious long-tailed African monkey able to leap great distances from tree to tree |
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colonizer (adj)
group or nation that endeavors to gain, maintain, or extend control over foreign regions, especially for economic exploitation. In Africa, colonialism usually refers to the direct control over parts of the continent by European nations mostly between the late 19th century and mid-20th century. |
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columnar (adj)
shaped like a column or other rigid, upright support |
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commission (v/n)
to hire an artist to create a work of art for a patron (individual or group); a work of art created in such a manner |
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conical (adj)
resembling a cone in shape |
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cowrie shell (n)
small white shell commonly found near the Indian Ocean. Cultures in West and Central Africa use the rare and beautiful cowrie shells as currency. They are considered a symbol of status and wealth when used to embellish jewelry, artwork, and clothing. |
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deity (n)
exalted being, such as a god or goddess |
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divine (adj)
relating to God or a god |
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diviner (n)
individual with special abilities and training who can facilitate communication between human and spirit worlds. A diviner may perform a variety of tests to discover the causes of and remedies for certain problems or to foretell future events. See also ritual specialist. |
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dowry (n)
money, goods, or property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a gift of money or property by a man to or for his bride. |
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