| For the most part works of art were created by | | | | authority, or marriage. Guardian figures are |
| several tribal artists working according to tradition. | | | | fastened to coffins to invite good spirits to |
| Yet, in spite of all his restrictions, the African | | | | protect the dead and to chase away evil demons. |
| artist managed to express his own imagination | | | | Combs, spoons, bowls, stools, and other useful |
| and technique. If new technique proved be good, | | | | items are carved to make them decorative. But |
| it became part or ever growing tradition. | | | | an object of art is always meant to be useful |
| Much of the world's art is religious. So too is | | | | first and beautiful only second. |
| African art. Ancestor worship, spirits, magic, and | | | | The use of masks was an important part of the |
| other aspects of the religion of African tribes is | | | | spirit world that existed in the lives of the African |
| reflected in the art. Art was also created for | | | | people. They were used at initiations, for example, |
| ceremonies of marriage, for funerals, and for the | | | | when a boy was accepted as an adult hunter. |
| festive celebrations of people. | | | | Their main purpose was to scare away evil |
| We in the West can value a work of art for its | | | | intruders. |
| beauty alone. But in Africa every line, every form, | | | | Among the masks most widely admired, at least |
| and every arrangement of shapes on a work of | | | | by people in the Western world, are those of the |
| art has a meaning. An African sculptor seldom | | | | Bambara of the Sudan region. They have graceful |
| creates art just for the pleasure of doing so, just | | | | lines and a smooth finish, which show the |
| for the purpose of creation something beautiful. | | | | craftsmanship of the artists. Sometimes they are |
| Nearly everything has a function or purpose. | | | | covered with feathers or other decorations. Often |
| Statutes are carved to honor ancestors, kings, | | | | worn on top of the head instead of over the |
| and gods. Masks are created for festive | | | | face, the designs of the masks are usually based |
| occasions. Jewelry, trinkets, and beads are | | | | on the horns of an animal, reaching heavenward. |
| sometimes used to indicate wealth, growing up, | | | | |