Gikonyo Maina, Maasai woman...
See more Acrylic on canvas

Mode... See more Material: Spring stone
Made in Zimbabwe

Peter Ndirangu, Maasai girl...
See more Oil on canvas

Makonde body mask, Tanzania...
See more One character that is often represented in the masks of Makonde people is a pregnant female. A male dancer will wear a full body mask, called the Anwalindembo, representing a pregnant stomach. During a performance with these masks the dancer dramatizes the agonies of children. The dance not only celebrates the initiation of young women into adulthood, it also is performed to ensure the fertility of both the fields and the women within the community.

Ibrahim Muwanga,
Love and commitment... See more Oil on canvas

Round beaded chana mask...
See more This round mask is decorated with colored beads and cory shells. This particular type of mask is created in honour of the king and prominent chiefs. Cowry shells and beads are symbolizing wealth.

Richard Gervas, African dada...
See more Mix media

Bamana figure, Ghana... See more Bamana figure were an integral part of village celebration. A platform covered with cloth or grasses was set up, and performance was staged by the youth association. Often men wearing masks and costumes performed alongside the figure. This tradition originated in medieval Ghana.

Dan Mask with cowry shells from Liberia... See more This is a beautiful Dan Mask from the tribal people of Liberia. The Dan believes that spirits, known as “Du”, live in the forests and manifest themselves to humans in masks and masquerades, instructing and sustaining the Dan in life. When during a dream a male was instructed by Du to dance a mask. Mask like this one were commonly used during the traditional ceremonies such as weddings.

Bronze vessel figurine sculpture, Cameroon... See more This is an African Bronze Tikar sculpture, rare masterpiece from Cameroon. It would be placed next to the Chiefs Chair. This item believed to have been used in religious and ceremonial activities. This item was made from the lost wax process which skill is handed down from generation to generation.

A wooden antique figure from Congo... See more These figures were carved in large sizes and stood or placed in gates heading to the palace as a sign of enough security

Mangbetu Harp, Northeastern
Democratic Republic of Congo...
See more Harp made 19th C. from wood and leather with handle decoration, depicting a Mangbetu head. Prestigious Mangbetu groups were much imitated among neighboring peoples, in particular the Zande.
Mangbetu aristocrats surrounded themselves with a wide variety of finely crafted utilitarian objects such as boxes, jars, stools, musical instruments, and weapons, many of which feature figurative elements. The designs of musical instruments are especially beautiful examples of the ingenious amalgamation of a functional artifact and the human form harp which carved to represent a human head. The delicately rendered feature of the face includes stylized, barely open eyes that evoke a sense of reticence. The representation of the head is a reference to the past Mangbetu practice of shaping the head during infancy by means of gentle pressure. The heads featured on harps such as these are also often decorated; indicative of traditional Mangbetu.
Mangbetu harps have been studied in depth as art objects; their musical use, however, remains largely unexplored. Although they appear in historical photographs from the region, these rarely show the harp being played. As the Mangbetu enthusiasm for carving continued and harps became increasingly figurative, the ability to appropriately string and tune the instruments became increasingly difficult. Before long, the importance of the harp as a musical instrument was replaced by its importance as an art object. This evolution led to instruments that were completely unplayable-with strings too close together, unusable tuning pegs, flattened sound boxes, etc.

Sammy Lutaya, Masked beauty...
See more Oil on canvas

Ligbi or Jimini, Cote d’lvoire...
See more Do ceremonial mask. The Islamized communities who live as traders and artisans among non-Moslem groups in extensive areas of northern Cote d’lvoire are known for an institution called Do or Lo, one of whose most striking public manifestations is colorful masquerade dancing. Their masks are danced during the funerals of distinguished Moslem holy men, and their performances also mark critical moments during the Muslim calendar year, and at the end of Ramadan, the month-long Islamic fast. The masqueraders are greatly admired for the grace of their dance movements, which they perform in pairs and in perfect unison. The performance of the maskers is accompanied by drums, singing and dancing. Players and sacrifices alternate for a full week before the assembled village.

Bambara fertility figure Mali...
See more Initiation object that transmits knowledge and are used primarily during rituals of Dyo society (such as the circumcision ritual)

Benin bronze fertility doll, Nigeria...
See more Fertility bronze figure used at Benin kingdom were kept two sides in the palace as a pair, affirm King’s prestige. Responsibility for the fertility and prosperity of his people fell to the chief or king.

Fang helmet mask Gabon...
See more Fang helmet mask typically has between two and six faces. These four faces known as “Ngontang” by the Fang people of Gabon – it means “white, young woman” and this mask was traditionally used in ritual dances to ward off witchcraft and evil.

Bamoon musician, Cameroon...
See more Bronze figure depicts musician player. The figure, sitting is endowed with a headdress, a long wit music instrument and, whose wear a traditional dress of some dignitaries. The musician players usually accompanied the King and were part of the procession of leaders and warriors. Music instrument of this type was also used during ceremonies or when someone had to be beheaded. Where the pearls of the Kingor other state jewels belonging to the palace association.

Wooden sculpture of devil (Shetani) Makonde tribe... See more A sculpture representing an African Horror short story of mammoth beings believed to feed on people who walk in the dark.

Dan ceremonial mask, Liberia...
See more This Dan mask was used during initiation ceremonies. This type of mask is made and worn exclusively, by male dancers. Dan mask is unique and only carved by initiated members of the male Poro society. This mask served to protect the young initiate against destructive or evil forces from the time of initiation, till he one day enters the spirit realm.
The cowry shells not only represent a decorative function, but also indicate that the spirits have blessed the young initiate with wealth. The feathers signify beauty and the ability to take flight if danger arises.

Bamileke elephant mask with embedded coins, brass and cowry shells...
See more Bamileke people live in the Cameroon Grassland. This mask representing animals are danced at state and regional festivals. Animal masks usually appear in succession following the lead dancer in the N’Kang human mask.

Cheko puppet figure,
The Bamana, Mali... See more
Made C. 19th-20th, the figure was used in Cheko theater. This figure holds detachable marionettes. Popular skits included stories about conflict in polygamous households. Theater was an important avenue for scrutiny of social norms and values. These events are a chance for the community to reflect on their heritage.
Materials: wood, yarn, metal

Bronze figure Benin, Nigeria...
See more The commemorative bronzebust, cast by Benin metalworkers were created for the royal palace. The heads were placed on the altars of kings.

Kibazo Hashib, Milk and honey...
See more Acrylic on canvas

Power guardian figure, Ivory Cost...
See more Initiation objects that transmit knowledge and are used primarily during rituals

Simon Wamangata, Elephant...
See more Acrylic on canvas

Wooden statue maternity
Afo – Congo... See more Very beautiful maternity stand with a child, beautiful crusty black patina. The faces have parallel scarification marks. Beautiful proportions, curves and stance.

Musinguzi Gilbert,
Brides with puff... See more Acrylic on canvas

Benin bronze fertility doll, Nigeria...
See more Fertility bronze figure used at Benin kingdom were kept two sides in the palace as a pair, affirm King’s prestige. Responsibility for the fertility and prosperity of his people fell to the chief or king.

Cameroon ceremonial mask...
See more Cameroon mask symbolizes plenty and privilege, this mask is depicting a face of ancestor with the full cheeks. The Cameroon used to don them to initiate new members into the male secrete society.

Florian Ludovik Kaija,
Dancing styles... See more Acrylic on canvas

Yoruba shrine figure, Nigeria...
See more The devotees of Shango, the Yoruba God of thunder and lighting, placed this kind of carving on altars dedicated to him. The standing female represents a priestess of the deity. She awaits the descent of the spirit of Shango to enter her body so as to be able to go into trance and act as a medium, bringing out the will of the god. The high-crested coiffure identifies her as a priestess and divining medium.

Ssali Yusuf, Our liberty...
See more Acrylic on canvas

Artistic ancestry: Bimbi statue of
the Bembe people... See more Nzambi is never depicted in Bembe art, but the spirits of the ancestors were traditionally thought to maintain close ties to the living. They could receive offerings and messages through priests, who make contact with them with the help of consecrated statuettes, or bimbi.
Bimbi statues depict idealized versions of these ancestors, their abdomens intricately carved in mimicry of scarification (no longer practiced by the Bembe). The eyes are often inlaid with shells or ceramics, and most statues feature a cavity between the legs, into which medicinal substances can be inserted (doing so is said to give the figurines a protective power).

Anwari Nakibinge... See more Acrylic on canvas

Wooden monkey (Mbotumbo),
Ivory Coast... See more This sculpture was to constitute the interior of the spirit to which offerings were presented and on which libations were practiced. Baule people believed this mbotumbo monkey sculpture as their goddess.

Anwari Nakibinge, Africa...
See more Acrylic on canvas

Round beaded mask, Ghana...
See more Beaded colored round hand carved mask, Ghana. Traditionally used by native Ghana tribes to express love and beauty during traditional ceremony. Bird on top of the fore head it is sign of love.

Ameer Yousif Alsidig... See more Oil on canvas

Babalawo beaded statue, Nigeria...
See more Magical ingredients, cowries, large hands have a calabash covered with cloth and a stick, the canvas covering the statue. This beaded statue represents a Babalawo (or Babalao) priest of Ifa. Ifa is a divination system that represents the teachings of Orisha Orunmila, orisha of Wisdom. The Babalawo claim to make sure of the future through their communication with Orunmila, Orishas is the divine spirits that control natural forces. They are found mainly in the Yoruba cosmogony.

Peter Ndirangu, Mama Africa...
See more Oil on canvas

Ebony Makonde lady carved from a precious ebony wood... See more The carver portrayed what was worn by women from the tribe hitherto

Suudi Kukumba, Combs...
See more Oil on canvas

Kusu ancestor figure, DRC...
See more Kusu live on the left bank of Lualaba River. During their exodus from north, they passed through Luba, Hemba and Songye lands where they assimilated social and artistic traditions of these ethnic groups. They are divided into clans, each headed by a chef Wembi, assisted by village chiefs, known as Mwamkana, and by family chiefs called Bankumi. Historically, the Kusu were hunters, but now they grow maize, yams, beans, and raise animals, including cows, pigs, goats, and chickens. Fishing is performed by both men and women. They recognize a supreme being (Vilie) and share a common belief in the power of the ancestors. They worship various nature spirits, recognize ancestor cults that have been borrowed from the Hemba and the Luba, and fashion and use powerful magical figures similar to those found among the Songye. There is an initiation society, which is primarily aimed at educating people about the evils of witchcraft, and there are also diviners that are consulted for matters of importance.

Nkishi power figure, The Songye,
Democratic Republic of the Congo...
See more Power figure of the Songye were divided into two classes: personal and community. A community figure was empowered by a diviner (nganga) for the benefit of the larger community. These figures are central to the quality of village life, and were appointed a guardian interpreter. Item such as hair, shells, beads, and nails added to the force of the figure. Personal figures were smaller and were prescribed by the Nganga for individual problems, such as fertility and sickness. A figure would be used for as long as its power held out, then would be sold or discarded.
Materials: wood, cowrie, brass

Bronze sculpture of Benin warrior...
See more This figure’s garments and accoutrements make reference to his status as a warrior with royal associations. The series of small bells that hang from his garments are indications of his status within the warrior class. It is also a symbol of the wealth and power of the Oba, or king, he served. He holds a spear in one hand and a sword in the other, each decorated with similar and accessories as his garment.

Yoruba celebration orisha head pot,
Nigeria Ise village, Nigeria...
See more This pot is original design for the Yoruba King. It features a kneeling “Mother” figure holding a pot with 4 “ibeji” twin figures on the lid. The Pot is held up by a series of ibeji figures down holding the pot. It was designed to be carved from the outside of the ibeji figures. This was only carved for the King, or important members of the Royal family, and used at special ceremonies.

Hornbill statue from Ivory Coast...
See more The woman I love with the bird also known as “Porpianong”.