Leadership and Art in the Ashanti, Kuba, Yoruba, and Other Peoples of Africa

The Ashanti From Ghana in West Africa Important position in their government is that of the spokesperson to the ruler Spokesperson’s staff (okyeame poma) –Kojo Bonsu from Ghana –Wood and Gold - Height 11’1/4” (28.57 cm)

The Ashanti are also known for their woven textiles, or ‘kente’ Worked on small horizontal looms (produce narrow pieces of cloth) Used brightly colored, complex patterns Threads used traditionally were silk Longs strips made with loom are cut down and sewn together to form the finished kente cloth Kente at first was only for the state regalia Oyokoman ogya da mu (“there is a fire between two Factions of the Oyoko clan”) -traditionally only the king of the Ashanti could wear this pattern -other complex patterns were reserved for royal family or members of the court

The Kuba From the Democratic Republic of Congo Produced elaborate and sophisticated political art –Kuba kings were memorialized by portrait sculptures called ‘ndop’ –22 known ndop span 400 years of Kuba history –Sculptors give the ndop and icon by which to identify the king, called an ‘ibol’ –Ndop figures also contain carved representations of royal regalia

Ndop of Shyaam a-Mbul a-Ngwoong From Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, height 21 3/8’’

The Yoruba From Southwestern Nigeria Holy city of Ife –11 th century- lively metropolis, artistic, and cultural center –Excavations from ritual spaces Terra-cotta ritual vessel Shango Ritual Vessel (Shango odu) Terracotta Ita Yemoo Museum of Youruba Pottery, Ile Ife, Nigeria.

Naturalistic Works of Sculpture -Created by artists of Ife -Began around 1050 CE Head of a King, Ife, 13 th century CE Zinc brass, height 11 7/16’’

Shrine Head, 12 th -14 th century, Ife Terra-cotta, height 12 ¼’’ - idealized head/look.html

- Kings of the Yoruba manifested their power through large, intricate palaces -Descriptive figure carving covered the doors Olowe of Ise- one of the best architectural sculptors of modern times Palace door. Life of Ruler with female sacrifice wood Olowe of Ise

Colonial Official. Detail of Door of Palace at Ikere Olowe of Ise ( )

Bibliography WE&RefineSearch=NewSelection Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. Pearson Education. NJ