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The Cultural Legacy of West Africa
Chapter 15
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Words you need to know Genealogy – an account of the line of ancestry within a family Folktale – a story that is usually passed down orally ad becomes part of a community’s tradition Call and response – a song style in which a singer or musician leads with a call and a group responds Terra-cotta – a baked clay often used to make pottery and sculptures Appliqué – a technique in which shaped pieces of fabric are attached to a background fabric to form a design or picture
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Their culture is diverse
Poems and stories to music and visual arts Oral traditions – stories, sayings and history of city so not forgotten kept by a griot They helped preserve West Africa’s history and cultural legacy
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West African oral and written traditions
Beliefs, values and knowledge of West Africans were passed from one generation to the next Griots – record keepers of the people – verbal artist of Mande people Tell stories, sing songs of praise and recite poems while playing a drum or stringed instrument – skilled entertainers – kept historical accounts and genealogies Every village had their own griot Tell the history of everyone in the village Could speak for hours or even days Passed from one griot to another They were trusted advisors to the king
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Folktales and proverbs
Used to pass along history and to teach young people morals and values Many brought to America with slaves Trickster tale – story of a clever animal or human that outsmarts others (hare) Brer Rabbit Proverbs Popular sayings Images from everyday life to express ideas or give advice giving wisdom and values “every time a man dies, a library is burnt down” Written tradition After Islam came to West Africa writing became important Turned ancient oral tradition into novels and other works
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Communicates ideas, values and feelings
West African music Important part of life Communicates ideas, values and feelings Celebrates historic events and important occasions Call and response Leader sings a short phrase = call Group answer by singing short phrase = response Used to ease burden of hard work for slaves Influenced gospel, jazz, blues, rock and roll, and rap Musical instruments Balafon – wooden bars across a frame Ngoni – small stringed – wood – with fishing line Kora – harp like with 21 strings – gourd and cow skin All these instruments are still used today
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Drumming Drummers perform during parties, religious meetings, and ceremonies Made of hollowed out logs and covered with animal skins Drummers play in ensembles or groups with different sizes and types of drums. Drumming, singing and dancing take place in a circular formation – sometimes a call and response style Slaves brought the drumming traditions to America
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Dance Dance is as important as singing and drumming
Dance during rituals and ceremonies Dance to educate children Seek help from spirits To connect with dead ancestors Movements reflect conditions live in Forest people look like they are moving through forest undergrowth Sometimes wear masks to represent spirits of traditional West African religion
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West African visual arts
Fabrics and basket for everyday Masks and sculptures for rituals and ceremonies Sculpture – Used to honor leaders Nok sculptures were made of terra-cotta – narrow heads, unusual hair styles and dramatic expressions Yoruba made sculptures of terra-cotta and later bronze and copper By 16th century making elaborate plaques showing king’s power and authority Masks – Wooden masks worn during ceremonies and in sacred rites Used to bring spirits of gods and ancestors into the present Are detailed and expressive Influenced Spanish painter Pablo Picasso
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Textiles and everyday objects
Stamped fabrics, story fabrics, kente cloth Use stamps to fill in squares with patterns Represent proverbs, historical figures, objects, plants or animals Story fabrics depict events (kings hunting lions) Made appliqués attached to background pieces to make designs or pictures Famous for kente cloth – narrow strips of silk or simple fabrics – with symbolic meanings that reflect history, values or beliefs Everyday objects Ceramic storage containers, utensils, furniture and baskets Used coil method for basket – made tight so can hold water Still made today
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Summary Cultural achievements of West Africans still influence today
Griots helped to preserve history and culture of West Africa Folktales and proverbs part of oral tradition Muslim scholars added written tradition Call and response Traditional drumming, instruments and dance Visual arts –sculpture, masks, textiles, and everyday objects Music and art vital in West African life
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