The document discusses several aspects of African art including how it is used to honor ancestors, teach life lessons, and connect the spirit world to the physical world through music and divination. Masks are discussed as spiritual entities used in performances by men to teach lessons, while women have their own masks and roles within communities. African art also influences forms like textiles, architecture, and the human body in functional and symbolic ways.

1. African Art

2. Honoring the Ancestors Opposites Protection Equality

3. Symbol of Power & Life Lessons Two farmers saw Eshu run through their fields. As the racing figure passed by, one farmer observed that Eshu wore a black hat. The other declared his hat white. As their dispute escalated and farmers were about to become physically violent, Eshu reappeared, wearing a hat-black on one side, white on the other. Eshu teaches wisdom, reminding people to look at the work from more than one point of view.

4. Music, Divination and Healing Music is a bridge between the spirit world and this world. The spirit does not descend without song.

5. Mami Wata A diviner is a go between. A diviner can invoke spiritual powers and positively effect people’s lives.

6. Masks, Men and Women The mask is a spiritual entity through performance, costume and song. Mask are usually made and worn by men. Sowei are worn by women to teach young girls how to be good wives, mothers and productive members of the community. Gle-zo: Men who perform masks

7. Functional Forms: Art and Daily Life Textile Door lock Architecture

8. The Social Life: Initiation & Investiture Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood. http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v =13RU5T6zxjc

9. African Art and the Human Form How is the human body recreated in African art? Is it rendered realistically? Where do you see the influence of African Art in our culture?

10. Influence from African Art