Introduction
Women of Africa are regarded very highly for many reasons. They are celebrated and respected for their age, gender and reproductive abilities. Here objects have been categorized into three groups Fertility Objects, Continuity, and Ceremonial Pieces.
Ceremonial Pieces- This section shows how women are celebrated for their age. One object shows the movement into womanhood and the other represents the elder wise woman. Both objects are used in ceremonies and relate to the importance of women in African cultures.
Continuity-In Africa many peoples believe that they live on after they die through their children. In this section pieces have been included that show the needed relationship between men and women as well as pieces that link to reproduction; linking a womans gender to the survival of her family.
Fertility Objects- The objects in this section relate directly to fertility and children. Women are expected to reproduce in order to have their spirit continue on after they are dead. Reproduction is a woman's job in many parts of Africa. The object listed show a woman's desire for healthy children along with mans desire for children so they may live on after death.
Now and Then
It is important to note that the pieces seen here are only part of Africa’s culturally embedded societies and time has continued as well as stylistic changes have taken place. Only showing one image is not enough for the viewer to understand the depth of culture and art Africa has to offer.
Africa is a changing continent just as the U.S.A is. Their art and ours is constantly changing, one may only see elder works of art here, but remember this is not what one should think of Africa as a whole. Many of us hold several stereotypes about Africa and African art without truly knowing the reality of what Africa has to offer.
It is also important to note that many times pieces can have multiple meanings and here one opinion has been chosen. One should question what they see and what they are told and then search for answers.
Ceremonial Pieces- This section shows how women are celebrated for their age. One object shows the movement into womanhood and the other represents the elder wise woman. Both objects are used in ceremonies and relate to the importance of women in African cultures.
Continuity-In Africa many peoples believe that they live on after they die through their children. In this section pieces have been included that show the needed relationship between men and women as well as pieces that link to reproduction; linking a womans gender to the survival of her family.
Fertility Objects- The objects in this section relate directly to fertility and children. Women are expected to reproduce in order to have their spirit continue on after they are dead. Reproduction is a woman's job in many parts of Africa. The object listed show a woman's desire for healthy children along with mans desire for children so they may live on after death.
Now and Then
It is important to note that the pieces seen here are only part of Africa’s culturally embedded societies and time has continued as well as stylistic changes have taken place. Only showing one image is not enough for the viewer to understand the depth of culture and art Africa has to offer.
Africa is a changing continent just as the U.S.A is. Their art and ours is constantly changing, one may only see elder works of art here, but remember this is not what one should think of Africa as a whole. Many of us hold several stereotypes about Africa and African art without truly knowing the reality of what Africa has to offer.
It is also important to note that many times pieces can have multiple meanings and here one opinion has been chosen. One should question what they see and what they are told and then search for answers.