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March 17, 2023

AFRICA, ART and WAR

African art has always played a significant role in the cultural and spiritual lives of the people of Africa. It has also played a significant role in the history of war on the continent. From ancient times to the present day, African art has been used to depict the stories, traditions, and rituals of the people, as well as to communicate their values and beliefs.

AFRICA, ART and WAR.

African art has always played a significant role in the cultural and spiritual lives of the people of Africa. It has also played a significant role in the history of war on the continent. From ancient times to the present day, African art has been used to depict the stories, traditions, and rituals of the people, as well as to communicate their values and beliefs.

One of the earliest examples of African art used in the context of war can be found in the ancient Kingdom of Kush, which was located in what is now modern-day Sudan. The Kushites were known for their skilled metalworkers, who created intricate and beautiful jewelry, weapons, and other objects. These objects were often adorned with symbols and imagery that held deep meaning for the Kushites, including the depiction of lions and other powerful animals.

 Artwork depicting a warrior, with tribal marking, often in pride.

One of the most notable examples of African art and war can be seen in the tradition of masquerade in West Africa. Masquerades were often used as a way to communicate social and political messages, and they often played a central role in times of war and conflict. For example, in the Kingdom of Dahomey (located in present-day Benin), masquerades were used to rally troops and intimidate enemies. The Fon people of Dahomey believed that the spirits of their ancestors could be invoked through the performance of masquerade, and they would use this tradition to rally their forces and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.

African art has also been used as a means of resistance and rebellion against colonial powers. In the early 20th century, artists such as Wifredo Lam and Paul Ranson used their art to resist the oppressive policies of the French colonial government in Senegal and the Ivory Coast. Lam, who was a Cuban artist of Afro-Cuban descent, used his art to explore the themes of African identity and resistance, while Ranson used his art to document and critique the social and political conditions of the Ivory Coast during this period.

Artwork depicting child soldiers, forced to go to war, the desolation in their eyes.

In more recent times, African art has also been used as a means of healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of war and conflict. For example, in South Africa, the art of healing through storytelling and performance has played a central role in the process of reconciliation and nation-building following the end of apartheid. Through the use of traditional African art forms such as storytelling, music, and dance, artists and healers have helped to bridge the divides that were created by years of conflict and segregation. During the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s, many Rwandan artists created works that depicted the horrors of the conflict and the resilience of the Rwandan people. These works were often made using materials that were readily available, such as recycled metal and found objects, and were meant to serve as a way to remember and honor the victims of the genocide.

Overall, African art has played a vital role in the cultural and political life of the continent, and it continues to be an important medium for communication, resistance, and healing in times of conflict and war. Whether through the use of masquerade, painting, or performance, African art has always been a powerful force for change and progress on the continent.