Africa was the first continent to experience the spread of Islam from Asia in the early 7th century. Nearly one-third of the world's Muslim population now resides in Africa, with a diversity of Islamic traditions across different schools of thought on the continent. Several African countries are highlighted, including Nigeria and Ghana as modern political powers, as well as historical kingdoms and rulers in Africa and descriptions of cultural masks used in rituals and performances from various ethnic groups across West Africa.

1. AFRICA

2. GREAT ZIMBABWE
167

3. Conical tower and great wall.

4. Africa was the first continent into which Islam spread from Asia in the early 7th century, with
persecuted Muslims, settling in Ethiopia. Almost one-third of the world's Muslim population
resides in Africa. The complexity of Islam in Africa is revealed in the various schools of thought
and traditions. A large number of Muslims in Africa are Sunni.
168

5. 169
Power: Nigeria

6. Equestrian Statue
Marcus Aurelius

7. 169

9. Power: Ghana

10. Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool). Yaa Asantewa:
Warrior Queen of Ghana 3:08
170

12. KINGS

13. 171Ndop of King Mishe

14. King NshyeengKing Shyaam King Mishe
miShyaang
maMbul
171

16. 171

18. Maintaining Social Order
and Royal Power

19. “Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)”
“Power Figure (Nkisi)”
“Power Figure (Nkisi nkondi)”
172

21. 173
Pwo Mask: Chokwe

22. 174

24. 174

26. 174
BAULE: MBLO mask

31. Art of Initiation
Questions:
What rites of passage are there in our society for girls
moving from childhood into adulthood? For boys? What
roles do adults play in this? How have those rites changed
over the past century?

32. 175
BUNDU MASK
Mende peoples (West African forests of
Sierra Leone and Liberia)

33. 175

34. Mende Society mask performance

37. Connecting with the Sacred
“Igbo Ikenga”

39. 176

43. LUBA people
Art and Memory

44. 177

45. 177

49. Cameroon Grasslands
Southern Cameroon:
BAMILEKE AND FANG PEOPLES

50. 178

52. 176 179

53. 179
Fang reliquary figure

55. 180
Veranda Post,
Nigeria

57. 15-minute Essay Practice
Each of these masks plays a key function for its group.
Explain that function, and describe the ways in which
each one’s formal qualities and performance contribute
to fulfilling its function.