African Art African Art In recent years, primitive African art has been copied and imitated by western

nations. In recent years, primitive African art has been copied and imitated by western nations. Government museums and private collectors have competed in acquiring primitive African ceremonial Government museums and private collectors have competed in acquiring primitive African ceremonial masks. masks. Wooden figures with distorted limbs have aroused wonder and admiration. Wooden figures with distorted limbs have aroused wonder and admiration. African intricate carvings have been fantastically praised. African intricate carvings have been fantastically praised. African Art is closely associated with religion. It is very primitive in nature and is closely associated African Art is closely associated with religion. It is very primitive in nature and is closely associated with superstition. Masks are terrifying because they are intended to frighten away evil spirits. with superstition. Masks are terrifying because they are intended to frighten away evil spirits. Contemporary dance music is based on African music with its short rhythm based largely on the drum Contemporary dance music is based on African music with its short rhythm based largely on the drum beat. beat. African music is bound up with religious ceremony, composed as a prayer for rain and for success in African music is bound up with religious ceremony, composed as a prayer for rain and for success in hunting and in war. hunting and in war. The drum, being the force in African music, comes in different types. It may be entirely wood, hollowed, The drum, being the force in African music, comes in different types. It may be entirely wood, hollowed, and slit; they may be made of wood and hideelephant ears are especially valued for this purpose. It is and slit; they may be made of wood and hideelephant ears are especially valued for this purpose. It is believed that the invention of the drum was related to the ritual of driving the spirits of the dead away. believed that the invention of the drum was related to the ritual of driving the spirits of the dead away. African drums are so constructed that the sound travels over a long distance, more than 8 or 9 miles. African drums are so constructed that the sound travels over a long distance, more than 8 or 9 miles. Relays of drummers can easily send messages with astonishing speed over very long distances. A Relays of drummers can easily send messages with astonishing speed over very long distances. A drum message can be sent a hundred miles away in two hours. In some parts of tropical Africa, drum message can be sent a hundred miles away in two hours. In some parts of tropical Africa, drums never stop beating; they drive foreigners mildly crazy. drums never stop beating; they drive foreigners mildly crazy. African Literature - The literature that has been written for or by African people. African Literature - The literature that has been written for or by African people. their literature, often oral in nature, may be in prose or in poetry. their literature, often oral in nature, may be in prose or in poetry. Story tellers in Africa often tell stories using the call-and-response technique. This is because an Story tellers in Africa often tell stories using the call-and-response technique. This is because an African storyteller would expect his/her audience to give responses and comments. Poetry is often sung African storyteller would expect his/her audience to give responses and comments. Poetry is often sung or recited in a sing-song voice. or recited in a sing-song voice. Poetry types include the narrative epic, occupational verse, ritual verse, and praise poems to rulers or Poetry types include the narrative epic, occupational verse, ritual verse, and praise poems to rulers or other prominent people. Thepraise singers, bards sometimes known as griots, tell their stories other prominent people. Thepraise singers, bards sometimes known as griots, tell their stories with a musical background. Also recited but most often sung, are love songs, work songs, childrens with a musical background. Also recited but most often sung, are love songs, work songs, childrens song, epigrams, and riddles, song, epigrams, and riddles, The Arab World in Africa The Arab World in Africa Northern Africa, being close to Europe, was affected early on by waves of migration from Italy , Northern Africa, being close to Europe, was affected early on by waves of migration from Italy , France, Greece, Spain, and other southern European countries, as well as inhabitants of southwest France, Greece, Spain, and other southern European countries, as well as inhabitants of southwest Asia. Asia. The Arabs formed an empire in North Africa where they established the Muslim religion. The Arabs formed an empire in North Africa where they established the Muslim religion. The Arabians predominate in Morocco, Algeria, Spanish-Sahara, and Tunisia. The sultan of morocco, The Arabians predominate in Morocco, Algeria, Spanish-Sahara, and Tunisia. The sultan of morocco, or any sultan, has the importance of a pope because he is the highest religious leader in the Arab or any sultan, has the importance of a pope because he is the highest religious leader in the Arab community. He is generally a direct descendant of the prophet Mohammad. Since one-third of all Arabs community. He is generally a direct descendant of the prophet Mohammad. Since one-third of all Arabs in the world live in North Africa, the sultan has considerable influence and is generally very wealthy. in the world live in North Africa, the sultan has considerable influence and is generally very wealthy. The Arabs are extremely religious. Islam means submission or resignation to the will of God. The Arabs are extremely religious. Islam means submission or resignation to the will of God. They are very strict in observing five practices: They are very strict in observing five practices: 1. They recite prayer. There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet. 1. They recite prayer. There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet. 2. They pray five times a day, turning their faces toward the Mecca. These prayers may be 2. They pray five times a day, turning their faces toward the Mecca. These prayers may be said said anywhere, even in the street or in bazaar. anywhere, even in the street or in bazaar. 3. They give alms to the poor in the amount of ten percent of their income. 3. They give alms to the poor in the amount of ten percent of their income. 4. They keep the holy month of Ramadhan during which no food or water may be taken dawn 4. They keep the holy month of Ramadhan during which no food or water may be taken dawn and sunset. and sunset. 5. They make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. Any Moslem who has done 5. They make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime. Any Moslem who has done this this adds the title hadji to his/ her name and wears a distinctive turban adds the title hadji to his/ her name and wears a distinctive turban Reported by: MR. Saimah graylaxustoushiro Usop Reported by: MR. Saimah graylaxustoushiro Usop