African Art

Ali Guindo is one of the weavers who weave cotton to make into mudcloth clothing and accessories.  He weaves the fabric, and then it is taken to a painter, who paints the designs onto the fabric. Ali Guindo is from the Dogon ethnic group and works in a little village called Somo, in the Dogon area of Mali, West Africa.  Because he lives in such a remote area (where many foreign buyers don’t venture to go), finding him to make some of the mudcloth fabric was a great way for him to increase his business.  It also insures that we get the highest quality of fabric. See beautiful Mudcloth and other Wall Decor.  

Banana leaf artwork has been constant in African art for centuries. Native to Kenya, banana leaf art is composed of tiny slices of banana leaves that are cut and pasted or woven together. The banana leaves are sometimes dyed to create a more dimensional or realistic effect. You can also find banana leaf sculptures which are made by weaving together thin slices of the banana leaves, forming and pasting them together to create a completely new style of art. This is a very time-consuming process and is very hard to accomplish without flaws or breaking the sculpture. When the artwork is finished it becomes a gorgeous focal point that has become extremely popular in the last few years.

See more beautiful African Wall Art, pick the one that fits your decor the best.

The Marka people, also known as the Warka, belong to the Soninke people whose settlements date back as far as 750 AD in Ghana. Conflicts with the Berbers compelled the Soninke to disperse into neighboring regions. The Marka people now occupy the northern part of Mali or Guinea. Marka ceremonial masks are generally characterized by elongated faces, long angular noses, and metal plaque work. Masks are carefully etched with hundreds of precise circular markings.  They are a beautiful African Wall Art, hand carved Fang Mask, made in Ghana.

The Marka used these masks for circumcision ceremonies and when circumcised men advanced up the social ladder. They were also used in fishing and farming related ceremonies.

Artists, the most famous being Picasso, have used Marka masks impressions in their abstract works.

 Inhabiting the southeast of Tanzania and the northeast of Mozambique are nearly 500,000 Makonde (pronounced mah-CONE-day), divided into matrilineal clans, each one comprising several villages.  Decisions are made by a chief supported by a council.  Clan members only meet for the ancestral cult and to celebrate initiations of the adolescents into adulthood.

This is where masks play an important part in the Makonde culture.

The most important carving used in initiation ceremonies was the lipiko (or mapiko) mask, which was worn over the top of the head, tilted back so the wearer could look out through the mouth.  The masks often represent ancestral spirits, or occasionally animals. It was believed that the ancestors came back masked in order to express their joy at the successful achievement of initiation. Their presence is believed to be proof of the close bonds that exist between the living and the dead. During initiation ceremonies an orchestra of drummers accompanies a group of dancers wearing the masks.

The faces of the masks are often scarified.  The Makonde are known for scarification of the body originally to prevent being taken as slaves.  While this is no longer practiced many of the older people among the Makonde still bear the markings on their face and bodies. 

Here is some other African Wall Art from Tanzania.  Shadow Box Art, African Beaded Mask made in Tanzania south

Papyrus Artwork

Papyrus was the first writing surface ever invented. Discovered in Egypt, this revolutionary product dominated many forms of African Wall Art and literature until pulp paper was discovered. Papyrus is made from a reed-like plant that grows in the marshes of the river Nile. This plant grows about 10 feet tall. The plant is harvested, and the hard outer fibers are peeled away, and the core is sliced into strips. The strips are then soaked in water, which removes most of the sugar content. After soaking, the strips are pounded and the water drained. The strips are then placed side by side, overlapping slightly. A second set of strips is then placed at right angles to the first, again overlapping slightly. This process is repeated over and over again until a piece of paper or artwork is formed. Afterwards, the surface is polished to a smooth finish by rubbing with a stone or black wood. All of the papyrus artwork we carry is made using this process, which adds value and ingenuity to each piece.

Wednesday’s Recipe

How to Cook Red-Red Stew from Ghana, Africa

Red-Red is a popular dish from Ghana made from cowpeas (black-eyed peas). It is thought to have been named for the combination of red pepper and red palm oil that is used in the cooking process. The Red-Red cowpeas stew is usually served with fried plantains, and is a lunch favorite in Ghana, particularly among office workers. If you are “unbeanz,” (i.e. unemployed) you can survive on this meal easily because the ingredients are inexpensive This is most commonly served with fried ripe plantain (popularly known as “koko”). It is an ideal choice for vegetarians and vegans.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 cups dried cowpeas (black eyed peas) or similar
• 1 cup red palm oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1-2 onions, thinly sliced
• 2-3 ripe tomatoes, quartered
• Cayenne pepper or red pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Several ripe or near-ripe plantains
• 1-2 bouillon cubes
• 4 Cups Chopped Eggplant
• (Optional) Small piece of smoked or dried fish
• (Optional) One spoonful of shrimp powder

Step #1

Clean the black-eyed peas in water in a large pot. Soak them in water for at least an hour or overnight. After soaking them, rub them together between your hands to remove the skins. Rinse to wash away the skins and any other debris. Drain them in a colander If you are using smoked or dried fish: remove the bones and skin, rinse and soak them in water, then dry them. If you are using dried shrimp: grind the shrimp (or obtain already ground or powdered shrimp).

Step #2
Place the black-eyed peas in a large pot, fill the pot with enough water to just cover the peas. Bring to a slow boil; reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the peas are tender; thirty minutes to an hour. When cooked, the peas should be moist, but not standing in water.

Step #3
While the peas are cooking: Heat the oil in a skillet. Fry the onions until slightly browned, then add the tomatoes, and fish and dried shrimp (if desired). Mash and stir the mixture to form a sauce.

Step #4
Stir the onion-tomato mixture into the black-eyed peas. Add bouillon cubes (if you are not using fish or shrimp). Simmer for ten minutes. Add salt, black pepper, and cayenne or red pepper to taste.

Step #5
While peas and sauce is simmering: Prepare fried plantains.

Step #6
Serve peas and plantains side by side on a plate.

Step #1
Peel and thinly slice the plantains lengthwise.

Step #2
Fill a skillet with 1 inch of Canola or vegetable oil. Preheat the skillet until hot, but not smoking.

Step #3
Fry the plantains until they a nice golden brown color, and then flip to the other side. This should take about 2 or 3 minutes in total, but let your eyes be the judge.

Step #4
Remove the plantains from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain the excess oil, then season with salt and pepper. Makes about 6 to 8 servings.

How to Prepare Boiled Plantains:

Drop unpeeled plantains in boiling water. Cook for 15-20 minutes until a test plantain is tender when pierced with a fork. Peel before serving.

Note: Because of the amount of agricultural chemicals used in fruit cultivation, we suggest a good soap and hot-water scrub before boiling plantains. If you prefer, you may peel them before boiling

A History of the Cowpea:

The cowpea is indigenous to Africa and contributes immensely to the diets of the under-privileged. It used to be called the “poor man’s meat”. However, improvement in the storage and processing techniques of cowpeas has changed this perception. Cowpeas are now accepted, as food in the homes of the rich, the informed, the salaried worker and all those who can afford it. The cowpea is rich in protein and B-vitamins.

African Oil Painting. Village by the sea. 

  Mark Sagnon has created each of the original oil paintings sold at Africa Imports. His love of art is so vivid in his paintings that the ones now sold are some of the best-selling paintings to carry. Mr. Sagnon grew up believing he was blind, and being treated like a blind man, until one day a friendly person gave him a pair of glasses. All the sudden the world became a new universe of color, artwork, and life for him! Mr. Sagnon’s paintings continually encourage the viewer to participate in an adventure that will give them a taste of the African culture, lifestyles, and people. His love of Africa is very evident in his paintings, and gives us something we can treasure for years to come. Mr. Sagnon has developed a layering and bonding technique to work from within the surface of a painting in order to create greater depth and color. The oil paintings sparkle with vibrancy and bright, African colors! This is a perfect gift for you to own, or to give. 

Here is a beautiful African American Art Paintings of Musical Cherubs.  This is a framed print with delicate colors and detailed artistry brings this musical cherubs painting to life. The cherubs are playing a violin and a trumpet amidst roses and ribbons  

Friday’s Proverbs

When a man thinks he is too big or great to fall, it only takes a little thing to bring him down.

Mudcloth is a traditional African fabric. It is so treasured in other parts of the world that it is also one of the major exports of Mali, West Africa. It is famous for its distinctive look and also for the rich symbolism behind each piece. Each piece of mudcloth tells a story; each symbol and each color has a specific meaning. Mudcloth makes a beautiful display of African Wall Art.

Pieces of mudcloth are passed down from mother to daughter, and are used to celebrate important life events like births, marriages, and deaths. Warriors sometimes wear red mudcloth in battle decorated with leather symbols. Mudcloth is also used as camouflage in hunting.

What the Colors Represent:

Rust - Represents the strong supernatural powers that protect the hunter. It also signifies blood from either the hunt or from warfare and is a useful form of camouflage.

White - Worn by women during ceremonies.

The most typical color of mudcloth is black with a white background. This is the kind of mudcloth most commonly used in storytelling.

What makes the different colors?

Tree bark makes the light brown color, while mud makes the dark brown/black color. White is the absence of mud, and is made by applying a special soap and a touch of bleach (which speeds up the process). Then the fixer, from a tree bark, creates the yellowish color.

Wednesday’s Recipe

Crunchy Cabbage Salad from West Africa

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups finely shredded cabbage
• 1 cup diced apples
• 1 cup diced cucumbers
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

In a medium sized bowl mix cabbage, apples, cucumbers and raisins. Toss to combine. In a small bowl blend together mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, vinegar and sugar. Pour this blend over cabbage mixture. Toss well to coat. Sprinkle with peanuts and chill.

Massai shields are used not only as weapons in the Massai culture of Kenya. They also express the African Wall Art and culture of the Massai people in Kenya.

Each shield is crafted from buffalo hide sewn onto a wooden frame. The handle is attached at the center back of the shield and wrapped with leather strips. Among the Massai, red paint was traditionally obtained by mixing earth with blood or the red sap of the solanum campylae fruit. White was derived from local clays, and black from the skins of burnt gourds. Younger warriors were only allowed the use of black, white, or gray on their shields, while red shields were for the senior warriors.

A Massai warrior is rarely seen without a spear and shield. Spears are a warrior’s most precious possession and are used for defending herds and the community against predators. Spears are used as walking sticks and staffs, most commonly seen thrust in the ground by the warrior’s side. The metal is kept rust-free by polishing it with animal fat. Wood separates the leaf-shaped blade from the sharpened end. Dark ebony wood is used only among senior warriors, where lighter wood indicates a junior.

In Massai culture, a boy grows into a junior and then senior warrior (mid teens-mid thirties). When a new age set matures to replace them, senior warriors become junior elders, and finally senior elders, or ancients. Warriors are protectors of the tribe. They are the first line of defense against animals such as lions, and outsiders. They are also expected to perform the hard work around the encampment.

Shields remain one of the Maasai warrior’s most important tools. They were used in warfare and hunting as well as practice and training. Outside of the warring context, however, shields were used in rites of passage and also functioned as prestige objects and symbols of identification. Early studies revealed that spear markings and shield designs were once used to tell between some of the Massai subgroups and also hinted at a larger, complex lineage identification system. Shield designs are known as sirata. Different designs and colors represent different things; a red badge signifies great bravery in battle and is only painted with the permission of a high-ranking chief. The intricacy of design and high craftsmanship of Maasai shields extend beyond utilitarianism and convey the sense of honor and status with which their warrior owners were invested.

Friday’s Proverb

Mme Kounte is one of our mudcloth painters. She has been painting for a long time, and is quite skilled in making the designs. She’s actually from the Bozo ethnic group, which is mainly comprised of fishermen from along the Niger River.  However, her husband, (also from the Bozo ethnic group) became a tailor and she went into mudcloth painting. She has five children, one of whom is shown here with her.  She likes to work on the mudcloth that she makes for us, and if you ever purchase a piece of mudcloth, know that Mme Kounte was probably one of the painters who painted on some of the creative designs in your piece of African paintings called mudcloth.

Friday’s Proverb

Ali Guindo is one of the weavers who weave cotton to make into mudcloth clothing and accessories. He weaves the fabric, and then it is taken to a painter, such as Mme. Kono (below), who paints the designs onto the fabric. Ali Guindo is from the Dogon ethnic group and works in a little village called Somo, in the Dogon area of Mali, West Africa. Because he lives in such a remote area (where many foreign buyers don’t venture to go), finding him to make some of the mudcloth fabric was a great way for him to increase his business. It also insures that we get the highest quality of fabric. See some Mudcloth African Wall Décor.

Friday’s Proverb

“The wealth of the greedy
ultimately goes to the community”.

Americanized Version:
If there are two brothers in a home,
both must work to feed the family.”

Which is the very meaning of this Brass- Two Headed Crocodile

A popular symbol in Africa,
where other people groups use it to
symbolize the futility of greed