Monday, November 21, 2005

Kuba Raffia Textiles

The Kuba live in the Kasai river region of the Democratic republic of Congo (formerly Zaire.) The embroidered and decorated raffia cloths that are produced by the Kuba are the best known survivors of this wonderful ancient African tradition that was at a time a widespread process across the all of central Africa. Kuba cloth is woven from the fib of the Rafia Vinifera Palm. The production of these textiles is a multiple stage process involving the participation of children, men and women of the same clan. The process includes the collection and preparation of the raffia fibers for weaving and embroidery, weaving the basic cloth unit, dyeing the embroidery fibers, and embellishing the woven cloth with embroidery, applique, patchwork and dye.
For more on the Kuba Raffia Textiles visit Kuba Raffia Textile

Great resources on African art

A lot of poeple spend hours searching for information on this great subject, I know, I have been online for countless hours, I have paged though thousands of pages of books, and read placed items in chat forums, all in the quest to learn more. I have put a page together on my website that has a great list of books on Africna art listed to make the search easier for you, including links to amazon for the purchase. If there is anything that i might be able to assist you with please feel free to contact me as well.
Here is a link to the African art resource page, the books listed here are all books that I have purchased and enjoyed, and fealt they are worth mentioning.
Great Books on African Art

Bamileke Kwifo Society


The Kwifo (meaning 'night') society, who acts as a policing force while the king hears complaints and councils his people, carrying out punishments and executions at night. Acting as the kings agent, the Kwifo also mediates significant conflicts and pronounces sentence in both civil and criminal cases. The mask pictured to the right, known as Mabu presents the decrees of the society to the people.

for information on the Bamileke click here.Bamileke Tribe

for more information on the Kwifo Society in particular, click here. Bamileke Kwifo Society

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Senufo Kpeli-Yehe Masks


A mask of the Poro Society, a society that uses age grades and exerts political and social control, they convey traditional knowledge, and fulfill religious functions. The Senufo kpeli-yehe mask often used at funeral ceremonies, is used to compel the spirit to leave the house of the deacesed.
The masks pictured here are recent kpeli-yehe mask purchases of great quality and are being shipped in soon, they are still available for sale. Feel free to contact me for first option on these masks if you are interested. You can see more masks that are available at present on my website, through the following link to the MASKS AND HEADDRESSES page: African masks

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

New African Art Items


I have some more items on the way into the States at the moment, and they will all be loaded onto the website as soon as they arrive. Some of the items coming in are:

  • Baga Protective Serpents
  • Bamun Bracelets
  • Benin Leopard
  • Metal Cache Sex
  • Bamileke Beaded Dolls
  • Senufo masks
  • Baule masks
  • Bamileke Elephant masks
  • Bali Elephant Mask
  • Baule Mouse Oracle

These items will be listed under the new items page on my website as soon as they come in, if you are interested in any having an option on any items before they are listed, feel free to contact my at any time.

New Items at forafricanart.com

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Lost Wax bronzing in African art.

For those of you interested in lost wax bronzes from African, I have put a webpage up explaining the intricate process of LOST WAX, you might find it informative if you are not sure of how it was done. LOST WAX BRONZING IN AFRICA

Yoruba Beadwork



I have a new shipment due to come in within the next week or two from Nigeria of Yoruba beadwork. The will be a crown or two, some belts, possibly diviners bags, etc. I am not totally sure what they were able to send, as I have been unable to contact my associates in Nigeria for the last week and a half.

Hello

A quick hello and thank you for visiting my African art blog, I will be continually adding new information and random posts regarding African art and what is going on in my life with this wonderful passion I have for it. Feel free to view my website http://www.forafricanart.com and browse at your leisure, give me any feedback you would like to and ask me any questions you may have regarding the art of the tribes, I will help wherever I can.