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raffia (n)
strong, straw-like fibers from the inner skin of the palm leaf. They may be woven, knitted, or knotted to create textiles. Unwoven raffia fibers are often a major component of masquerade costumes in West and Central Africa. |
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regalia (n)
assorted finery that indicates status and rank; often associated with royalty |
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relief (adj)
sculpted and projecting from a flat surface |
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resin (n)
natural substance, usually clear or nearly clear and yellowish to brown, formed in plant sap; used in medicine as well as varnish, printing ink, and plastics
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ritual/ritually (n/adv)
ceremony related to religious doctrine or social customs; ceremonially |
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ritual specialist (n)
individual with special training and abilities who can facilitate communication between human and spirit worlds. A ritual specialist performs many functions in a community, including counseling; mediating disputes; performing rituals; producing medicines, often plant-based, to cure illnesses; and foretelling future events. Often called priest, priestess, or herbalist. See also diviner. |
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scarification (n)
ornamental scars intentionally created by making small, shallow cuts in the skin of the face or body for cosmetic purposes. The patterns and tactile quality of such scars are considered highly attractive among some communities. Scarification also may mark one’s status as a civilized being, adult, or member of a specific ethnic group or initiation association. |
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schematic (adj)
outlined |
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Senufo
groups of people living in present-day Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Mali, and Burkina Faso. The Senufo are primarily agriculturally based, although there are many non-farming artisan groups, such as blacksmiths, woodcarvers, and brasscasters. Artistic expression is usually employed in the context of rituals of transition, such as initiations or funerals. |
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Solomonic Kings
Line of monarchs of Ethiopia, believed to have begun in the 13th century with Menelik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Israel. The last Solomonic King of Ethiopia was Haile Selassie (1930–1974). |
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symbol/symbolize (n/v)
something that stands for or represents something else; to be a visible sign of an abstract trait or idea (such as a nation’s flag) |
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tooled (adj)
ornamented by use of a hand tool (as with leather), usually by pounding the textured end of a metal rod with a small hammer, resulting in a pattern |
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veranda (n)
open porch or gallery, usually with a roof |
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virtuoso (adj)
revealing a high degree of skill |
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Yoruba
group of Yoruba-speaking people who share art forms, sociopolitical institutions, and religious beliefs, and who trace their common origin to the city of Ife in present-day Nigeria. Yoruba art is shaped by interactions with neighboring cultures in Africa as well as Islamic, Christian, and colonial influences. At the core of Yoruba art is the saying “Character is beauty.” When art captures the essence of something, it is deemed beautiful, even when the subject is abhorrent or disgusting. |
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zoomorphic (adj)
attributing animal characteristics or qualities to a god; animal forms in symbolism, literature, or graphic representation |
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Zulu
Nguni-speaking people of South Africa. After prolonged warfare with European settlers in the 19th century, the Zulu combined with the neighboring Natal Nguni to form the Zulu empire. The Zulu are known for their utilitarian carvings and dazzling beaded jewelry and clothing, which express the relationships between themselves and their ancestors and those between men and women. |
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