Symbolism of African Ethnic Furniture

Friendship was celebrated by the Ashante tribe of Ghana with the “see/hear no evil” tables. These wonderful tables depict two monkeys, one covering its eyes and the other covering its mouth, symbolizing that friends neither see nor hear anything evil between each other. Crocodile themed furniture that is commonly seen further reinforces the importance of coexisting in peace.

Some African furniture was only found in the homes of tribal chieftains and in the House of Kings.  For example, “Gye Nyame” stools were carved to represent and honor the power and greatness of God(s) and were not found in the homes of common tribe members.

Looking at African furniture that has found its way into the museums of the world, one sees symbolism and complexity as well as the skilled craftsmanship of the African artists in each and every piece. If you consider African furniture overall, you will find a wonderful depiction of the very nature of African people, their beliefs and lifestyle.

Taking African Ethnic Furniture Around the World

Today African ethnic furniture continues to be made in Africa and thanks mostly to the advent of the internet, it is readily available around the world. However, Africa is not the only place where African ethnic furniture is made; in the US and in the UK, African-Americans proudly proclaim and celebrate their heritage through the creation of African art, including African ethnic furniture.

When the African slaves arrived in America they were provided no luxuries whatsoever and in reality, few basics such as furniture. The slaves spent whatever little spare time they had, creating what we now term folk art furniture. The slaves were not provided with tools or raw materials; they had to use whatever they could find. Usually, sheep shears had to suffice as a carving tool.

African slaves were in a foreign place under the complete control of their owners. The furniture they created was but one way of holding onto their traditions and celebrating events much as they did in native Africa. You will find that folk art furniture often depicts sentimental, religious, superstitious and traditional themes of the period.

Today, African-American ethnic furniture is enjoying popularity among all sorts of people. You don’t have to be African to see and appreciate the beauty of African ethnic furniture. The internet has made it possible for everyone to shop websites based in Africa or at the least, websites from across the country.

African ethic furniture covers a very wide array of items. Often in African homes furniture serves a dual purpose; for example, a stool may also serve as a small table. The legs of these fine chair/tables are commonly carved into figures of people, African masks, elephants and other animals. Intricate carving is the hallmark of these fine pieces of furniture.

Stools were of extreme importance to their owners, sometimes to the point that the stool was believed to be a part of the soul. For this reason, anyone desiring an authentic African feel to their décor, a stool is a must. Adiskidan Ambaye, a Minneapolis based African furniture designer currently creates some of the most renowned, beautiful African stools on the market today.

African ethnic furniture can described as bedroom sets, magazine racks, end tables, dining tables and any other piece of furniture with an African theme. Traditional African furniture culture came to America with the slaves. Here today, the traditions continue. African American ethnic furniture is functional while reflecting the beliefs and traditional themes of the African ancestors.

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So thought we’d try something a little different today. I know we’re African Art Blog and all, but come on – everyone needs a little variety. This weekend got me really fascinated by Indian stuff (a friend’s Indian fiancee is in town, and it’s been great to hear about her home and its incredible cultures!). So here’s something different, hope you enjoy.

Why You Should Only Buy Fair Trade Handicrafts from India

An ancient country, India is full of diversity with cultures, traditions and lifestyles varying radically as you go from the North to the South and from the East to the West of the country. Exquisite, vibrant, spellbinding handicrafts have been the signature of Indian handicrafts for centuries. They have always been in demand by a world hungry for Indian artistry and craftsmanship.

The Fall & Rise of the Indian Economy

During the period of British rule, economic polices were formulated to enhance trade with foreign countries. These policies led to large scale foreign trade and enabled development of steel and textile industries. However, those same policies caused problems for Indian craftsmen and farmers. In the long run British policies favored imports rather than exports and production began a downward spiral. Rather than reinvesting in India, the British shifted approximately $1 trillion to other British holdings. By the time India gained independence in 1947, the economy was in ruins.

During her tenure as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi steered India to a more economically sound position. Since 1991 India has enjoyed status as being one of the most affluent economies in the world. Indicative of the strides India has made are statistics such as in 1980 38% of the income was derived from agriculture whereas in 2001 it was only 24.7%.

Introducing Fair Trade Practice

All of these statistics give one the impression that all is well and good in India. This is a dreadfully wrong perception. The slums of New Delhi alone are home to 3 million of the poorest of the poor. These are people that have no education and no hopes of a better life for their children. That is, they have no hope without such programs as those of the Fair Trade groups.

Fair Trade simply means that for the work a person does, they should be paid a fair price or wage. The slums of New Delhi have poor water systems, no electricity, no paved roads and many live in sheer squalor. Fair Trade programs are helping to break the cycle of poverty by providing jobs with livable wages, providing training for jobs and funding schools to give children the advantage of an education. Fair Trade prevents exploitation of talented, illiterate people.

India has a rich tradition of beautiful art and handicrafts. Fair Trade programs utilize the native handicraft traditions and skills to produce goods for the market which in turn provides an equitable income to the worker. In remote areas where crafters were able to practice their craft, they often had no way of marketing their craft. Fair Trade groups have developed retail stores and websites to market the finely crafted goods. Routes are routinely travelled to pick up handmade goods from remote producers to be sold on the world market. This is a situation where everyone wins; the buyer gets wonderful Indian handicrafts and the crafter gets a fair price for their work along with the dignity that comes with making a livable income.

So, when you pick up that beautiful decorated rosewood jewelry box made in India by an Indian handcrafter, look for a Fair Trade Stamp or logo to make sure that you are helping make a life better. If you don’t see the Fair trade insignia, don’t buy it since you will merely be fattening the middle man’s wallet.

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1. Indian Handicrafts: What Sort of Handicrafts Come From India
2. Redecorate with African Home Décor and Support Fair Trade
3. Redecorate with African Home Décor and Support Fair Trade

In African languages there is no one single word for “art”. There are numerous words used to convey that something is beautiful or to refer to an item that has been made. The Bamana people have two phrases for the word sculpture, both of which translate to mean “things to look at”.  In Mali the idea of “artist” is completely unlike what a Westerner would think of “artist”. In Mali the artist does not start the work with the idea of making something nice to look at; the idea is to create a piece that will be successful at performing a religious, magical or economic function.

Mali art is extremely collectable today. Once considered primitive, today it is recognized as beautiful, spiritual, valuable and highly desirable. Along with fine wood sculpture, one of the most sought after collectables among Mali art are Mali wedding beads.

Origin of Mali Wedding Beads

What makes Mali wedding beads so interesting is that they are not original to Mali. In the 1800’s and early 1900’s Bohemia (Czech Republic) glass works were producing trade beads to be used in Africa. Women all over West Africa wore trade beads but in Mali a tradition evolved using trade beads during weddings. On the day of her marriage, the Mali bride to be is presented a necklace made of these beautiful, hand made glass beads.

Mali wedding beads are generally made in three shapes; flat triangular, flat elongated and bulb shaped. The colors are spectacular; every color of the rainbow is represented on a single strand of Mali wedding beads. Each bead is hand made and unique; some are solid color while others are marbled with swirls of color winding through the base color, some are striped to resemble a zebra coat and some are opalescent or translucent. No matter what their coloration, Mali beads are simply spectacular.

Today, Mali wedding beads are showing up for sale on sites such as eBay, a bead at a time. The strands are being dismantled and sold bead by bead. These beads are so prized that non-authentic beads are replicated and passed off as original.

Tips for Buying Authentic Mali Wedding Beads

A few tips for buying authentic Mali wedding beads might assure that you buy the real thing. There are numerous African based websites that offer beads still in the original strand or as singles. These dealers commonly guarantee their beads as authentic and show very detailed, close up photos of the items. If the beads are advertised as “old” or “antique” look for surface scratches or wear that show the beads have been worn. Also, don’t fall for beads that have no hole, Mali weddings beads must have a hole to have been strung onto a necklace.

Far from primitive, Mali art is very desirable.

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That's a jungle, sure isn't concrete though: "Wild Panorama" by David Fernandez

In today’s world, many people live in concrete jungles where pavement and tarred roads covers the ground rather than dirt and plants. Animals other than pets are practically non-existent in some of these cities. Many people live their whole life and never see a real cow, much less seeing a zebra loping across the savannah. Their only exposure to the wild is documentaries that are aired on television.

Wildlife art originals are a great way to enjoy animals all around you. With so many species in danger of becoming extinct in the near future, wildlife art may be the only way these animals will be seen in the future. (I hope not!)

The Cultural Value of Wildlife Art

Most wildlife art original collectors believe there is a cultural value to wildlife art. And furthermore, most collectors understand the urgent need to conserve the subjects and their habitat. A fine example of the cultural value of wildlife art is seen in Native American wildlife art.

"Lion" by Arruda Camara

Native Americans believed that animals were teachers, guides and companions; often in spirit form. Native American art show the reverence in which animals were and are, held. Animals were not only honored and respect by Native Americans but they were and are also worshipped as some kinds of higher beings.

Some Native Americans believed that they could capture the power of a particular animal and from then on that animal became a totem for that person. A totem was also thought to be a direct ancestral familial link.  Traditionally each Native American had nine animals associated with them.  Particular to Native American wildlife art is the portrayal of humans in animal form. A painting by a Native American artist depicting a bear may be a bear to the viewer but to a Native American it could very well be a representation of the artist’s totem. Native American wildlife art is highly symbolic. An eagle flying high may be the artist’s lament about freedoms lost and in the same way, horses running free on the plain celebrate the time when warriors thundered across the plains on their ponies.

"Zebras drinking water" also by Arruda Camara

Significance of Wildlife Art Originals

Ok, it isn't exactly African, but amazing elephant art: "Elephant and the beautiful field" by Innop

Beautiful wildlife art originals are very popular for many reasons. Wildlife art gives us a glimpse into worlds seldom seen by many of us; we can view animals from all over the world in paintings. For those of us that never make it to Africa, wildlife art shows us animals we will never see for real. For those of us who have seen these animals in the zoo, wildlife art gives us a glimpse of these animals in their own home turf in the wild.

Wildlife art originals are a way for not only viewer to appreciate the animals but for the artist to show their respect and affinity for the animals they paint. Many wildlife artists today are painting in hopes of raising awareness of the issues that face wild animals today such as disappearing habitat, poaching and ultimate extinction of some species.

Beautiful wildlife art originals can be appreciated on many levels; as an investment, as a social statement, as a piece of art to be admired. When you look at the animals in wildlife art, you are seeing life at its rawest and finest.

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How old is African Pottery?

Many of the oldest relics relating to man as a species have been found in Africa, including the oldest pottery ever unearthed.

A shard of clay pottery that was found in central Mali dates to an unfathomable 9,400 BC, which means that the piece of pottery would be 11,400 years old! This implies that the art of pottery is at least 11,400 years old; it also means that man was capable of making clay pottery at this time.

The Form & Function of African Pottery

Ancient pottery has been found all over Africa. The pottery was both for functional and ritual purposes. In addition to being used to carry water, cook and store food, pottery was also used for various rituals.

The aforementioned Mali is the native homeland of the Bantu tribe, a tribe known to have been marketing pottery up and down the Niger River as far back as 250 AD. Not only was Bantu pottery for everyday use and ritual use, they made large upright pots in which they sealed their dead.

While traditionally pottery making was a woman’s job, there are some areas where men played an important role in pottery making. In Nigeria, whereas the women are exclusively involved in making functional pottery, the men make pottery for ritual purposes.

Not only do the uses vary but also the way in which women make their pottery is quite different from the method employed by men. Women generally utilize a coil technique where men use slabs of clay or molds to produce pottery. Pottery created by men commonly is decorated with human or animal figures where women mainly decorate with designs and not figures.

Cultural Diversity in African Pottery

African pottery cannot be described in general terms. Africa is a very large, multi-cultural continent; each culture with its own religion, language, politics and traditions. The art, including pottery, of each culture is unique. While the design of a piece of pottery may be similar in some cultures, one culture will make use of it in ritual while another may use it to fetch water.

Modern African pottery is readily available to everyone thanks to the Internet. Online you will find spectacular pottery from North African countries such as Morocco and Egypt all the way to Cape Horn and South Africa.  Pottery from each of these countries varies widely.

Moroccan pottery is exotic in appearance with intricate design and outstanding colors, whereas pottery from Kenya reflects the countries rich heritage of wildlife. Kenyan pottery often takes the form of an animal or bears the image of an animal on the pottery. Zimbabwean pottery is pure celebration; every item wonderfully decorated with animal life, village life and scenes of everyday life.

African pottery is simply amazing. When you realize that much of the pottery is made today the same way it was centuries ago, it is humbling. For anyone who has an interest in pottery, African pottery is sure to catch your eye and keep your heart.

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Our world is shrinking. The Internet has caused a revolution in the way people think about the world. It is a common thing in this day and age to chat away with someone on the other side of the world that you may never have the chance to meet face to face but soon you become online friends. On a chat site we all look and sound alike and personal prejudices seem to disappear.

When Ethnicity Matters & When it Doesn’t

Ethnicity is not a big thing online; one email address or web address looks much like any other and it is often difficult to tell the country of origin of many online pages and features. But, sadly our world has not shrunk to the point we are all of one mind when it comes to thinking of ourselves as simply, people. Most of us identify ourselves as being of a certain ethnicity; some of us are proud and some ashamed of our ethnicity. Ethnic art is but one way to display feelings about being a member of an ethnic group or to show feelings about another ethnic group.

A Revival of Ethnic Arts

America’s first African American president has recently been elected. The night of the election the US was in a grip of ethnic pride unparalleled our lifetimes.

"African woman with peonies"

White people were proud to have been a part of history and proud to have finally showed the world that we, as a nation had progressed beyond the slaving days. Black people were euphoric to have finally been vindicated by a country that had been so brutally unjust to their ancestors.

A surge of ethnic art was the fall out of the Obama election; African American pride is obvious in the recent works celebrating current life. Conversely, the African American art of the past was often a representation of the anger and pain of the enslaved black population. After emancipation, pain and anger continued in ethnic African American art through segregation, desegregation and civil rights movements that has somewhat continued to this day.

(They definitely didn’t like me lifting the image of the work on our Right. But it’s absolutely beautiful, and you know how it is, I just had to. I’m SURE some of you’ll buy it, won’t you? Nudge nudge, wink wink…)

Understanding Cultures Through Ethnic Art

Exploring cultural traditions through art...

For those of us who have not traveled abroad, the concept of people inhabiting other countries is what the media offers or what is found online. This is often a skewed version of what a culture or ethnic group is actually like, what it believes in or what it reveres. To delve deep into the feelings, beliefs and dreams of an ethnic group, you need to look at its art.

Ethnic art is a source of bitterness in some instances. Ethnic art that is sacred to one culture is often displayed in museums in another. This is a great source of contention between cultures. For instance, repatriation of some relics smuggled out of Egypt has come to fruition as part of agreements reached with countries such as Germany for expedient political purposes. In the US, Native American Indians have successfully sued to regain ethnic religious treasures from museums and private collectors worldwide.

Ethnic art is one way we can learn about one another’s culture. Ethnic art celebrates and/or decries our heritage. Ethnic art is increasing in popularity as people reach out and try to understand each other through something all people can relate to: art.

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1. African Ethnic Furniture

African masks are important from an historical perspective in addition to their worth as art. They trace their history to the beginning of the Stone Age when humans first began to use tools. An African mask may be made from any of a variety of materials including wood, leather, fabric and metal.

Significance of African Masks

Masks have a very significant place in the tradition and culture of Africa. Masks have been used through history and continue to be used today in ritual masking ceremonies. In ritualistic ceremonies the mask is representative of a spirit; it is further held by natives that the spirits of their ancestors possess the person who dons the mask.

Ceremonial Masks and Masking Ceremonies

Meaning of Ceremonial Masks

African ceremonial masks normally represent gods, spirits of ancestors, the dead, mythological entities, good, evil, animal spirits and any other entity thought to have powers over humans. African families and clans believe their ancestry to descend from certain animals or beings. Masks that depict their human ancestors or those that depict their totem ancestors (animals or other beings) are objects of great family pride. African masks may be presented with gifts and honored in ceremonies when it is believed to be the dwelling place of the spirit they depict.

Wood Mask: "Initiation" by Victor Yao Delanyo

When Masking Ceremonies Happen

Masking ceremonies take place during important times or in anticipation of significant events. For example, masking ceremonies would be held for crop harvest, tribal initiation and coming of age, celebrations, in preparation for war and in times of peace.  Oversimplified, masking ceremonies are an appeal to the spirits and ancestors for help in times of need in addition to warding off evil and celebrating good.

How Masking Ceremonies Work

An African mask may be worn in various ways; as a head dress or crest resting on the head, as a helmet covering the whole head or as a vertical cover for the face. Some tribes wear a body mask that covers the torso in addition to their face mask.

African traditional ceremonial masks are worn by one selected dancer or if the ceremony is an initiation, by the initiate. In the course of the ceremony a deep trance overtakes the dancer. While in this state of trance it is believed that the mask wearer communicates his ancestors. Ancestors imbue the mask wearer with wisdom to pass on to the tribe. These messages are commonly garbled and grunted so a wise man/translator often attends the mask wearer during the ceremony to properly ascertain the meaning of the message. Generally, dance, song and traditional African music accompany all rituals and ceremonies.

Throughout history African ceremonies and rituals have been an essential to African life.  However, due to the damage to tribal economies as a result of divisions created by Colonials and the mass displacement of many tribes, the majority of African people have lost their cultural/tribal identity. Sadly, masking ceremonies are no longer common in Africa.

Buying African Masks Online

Today, the Internet allows us access to masks marketed by artisans from all of Africa. Many of today’s mask makers are engaged in making pieces of art to sell to buyers from all over the world. The demand for authentic African masks is huge. There are many mass produced masks available on the market cashing in on the tremendous interest in authentic African masks. If, as a buyer, you are searching for authenticity, go online to the source. There are numerous websites based in Africa selling tribal made art work.

Many of the sites offer a Fair Trade disclosure guaranteeing that the African artisan is receiving a fair amount for his work. If you’re serious about Africa, I’d really push you to please buy from one of those sites – it’s a world of difference to the people and the culture’s you’re fascinated by.

Novica (I think it’s run by National Geographic) is one of them.
StrictlyAfrica.com is another.
ForAfricanArt.com would be my third choice.

They all have some really great stuff (that’s where these pretty pics come from), and I quite like them.

The Many Faces of Africa

Authentic African masks are tribal specific; in other words, the masks made by each tribe are distinct from those of other tribes. Vertical masks from the Congo are carved from wonderful woods to ensure their beauty as a work of art. Typical of African masks, Congolese masks may be very colorful and joyous or they may be dark and intimidating. Online you will find totem masks depicting baboons among others. You will find a vast array of masks celebrating various gods and goddesses such as the River Goddess.

Nigerian masks are simply magnificent. Beautiful dark woods are the base material for carving the masks. Many are heavily adorned to enhance the power and wealth of the wearer. Current Nigerian masks seem to reflect peace and contentment rather than intimidation and threat.

The two tribes mentioned above are but a very small sampling of the African masks you will find online. Authentic African masks abound on the vast array of websites promoting the economies of African tribes.

African masks are truly wondrous. They are traditional ritualistic items as well as marvelous works of art. The history surrounding the African mask is fascinating. Understanding the background, the mythology, the religion use of African masks and tribal masks is critical to the true appreciation of masks as more than a decoration.

Having said that, nothing could be more eye-catching than an African mask on your wall or desk. When you put an African mask on your wall or on your desk you are not just putting something pretty out for people to see. It’s a symbol of real respect for African tradition, African history and African culture.

Alright everyone, until next time (hopefully soonish!)…

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African basket making is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation through the centuries.

Along with the art of basket making, the folklore surrounding it was also passed along from the elders to future generations during the many days and nights spent weaving baskets together. Unless you are a native African villager or are an African history enthusiast, the question of what African baskets and rice share in common may be a tough one to answer.

To learn the answer one must understand a little history of both African baskets as well as the history and evolution of African rice growing societies.

The Magnitude & Diversity of Basketry in Africa

Did You Know? There are approximately 800 separate and distinct ethnic groups in Africa.

Each of these groups has developed their own traditional designs for basket making determined in part by the use intended for the baskets, the materials available for weaving the baskets and the organic dyes available to decorate the baskets.

The huge diversity in shape, design, color and purpose of African baskets makes it almost impossible to pigeonhole African baskets into any one category.

African Baskets & Rice: The Connection

The history of African baskets and rice are forever intertwined. Africans basket makers originally made baskets to be functional. These baskets were used to fan rice and separate the grains from the dry, unusable chaff. They were also used to store the rice.

Every African tribe that raised rice developed their own distinctive methods and designs for making their rice baskets. African basket aficionados can take one look at an African basket and tell which area of Africa the basket came from and also, which ethnic group made it.

Check out the differences between these Zulu baskets and traditional Ghanaian nest baskets:

Rice & Baskets; Baskets & Rice

Rice has been grown is Africa for 3500 years around the Niger River delta and extending into modern day Senegal. When the Arabs came into Africa between 700-1100AD they brought with them some different species of rice that could be grown other areas of Africa, mainly in Southern Morocco. The Arabs are generally credited with bring rice to the whole region which stretches from Lake Chad to the White Nile.

As the cultivation of rice spread to various areas of Africa, so did the making of baskets to fan, store and market the rice. Originally designed for utilitarian purpose, the African basket became ornamental as well as functional as time passed. The basket makers took great pride in their work and made beautiful baskets to celebrate their heritage. This skill was passed from generation to generation both to assure an adequate supply of fanning and storage baskets as well as to celebrate one’s ethnic affiliation.

The Dark Side of African Basketry & Rice

A dark side to this rice and African basket relationship involves the American slave trade. With rice being the main cash crop of the state of South Carolina in the colonial period, Africans that were native to rice growing regions were the first targets of the slavers.

For Africans from West African rice regions (Senegal to the Ivory Coast) and the area surrounding the mouth of the Congo River (Angola, Gabon and Zaire) slavers received a premium price. A woman or man capable of making baskets was worth more than any other slave regardless of their age or strength. Enslaved Africans are credited with the success of the South Carolina rice industry since few South Carolinians knew anything about rice agronomy.

I guess you could say African basket making designs and techniques came to America in slave ships!

African Basketry Today

Today the making of African baskets has taken on a new role. The world-wide popularity of African baskets means traditional African basket weavers can earn a decent income and provide for their families.

African women face terrible economic disadvantage and uncertainty. Many African women have no education and no traditional marketable skills. However, they have found that they can retain their heritage and earn a fair wage at the same time by making baskets for the world market. With the assistance of many humanitarian groups, most of these women produce baskets sold through markets regulated by Fair Trade standards. Fair Trade dictates that any goods sold with the Fair Trade endorsement must be produced by workers who receive a fair wage for there work. African women have benefitted greatly from this endeavor; they can afford the basics for their family such as food, education and health care.

The past as well as the future of rice and the African basket are intrinsically intertwined.

The African basket, which originated as a necessary functional device for cleaning, storing and marketing rice has today come full circle and is being used as a means of livelihood and a way of acquiring rice to feed African families.

You can check out some of the beautiful “modern” Zulu Basket designs (baskets designs from plastic telephone wire) at UncommonGoods.

Or if you’d like to support the more traditional African baskets being made (still today by black artists and ordinary villagers), I found some interesting stuff while I was looking for images at Novica.com, which apparently is the National Geographic store. It’s a lot more professional than UncommonGoods. (Uncommon is a proper art/gift site – made by people who love their product and hate web design, sadly it shows though.)

Well that’s all for today folks. I’ll be back later in the week with a delicious piece on Authentic African Masks.

PS. Ok that’s not it. I was just searching for links. I found this brilliant and beautiful idea. I love the way you also get the artist’s take on the piece and where he comes from. It’s a recycled newspaper vase, called “Blossom Post”:

…Alright, now we’re done.

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1. African Textiles & Wall Hangings – Making Their Way To The World Market