How is death viewed in African culture?
Where is the artist of the painting above originally from?
Julie Mehretu is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She later moved to the United States, but she was born in Ethiopia.
In the bwami system of the Lega people, what did the masks do?
The masks helped teach Bwami members moral lessons and communicate the society’s values and teachings.
How is death viewed in African culture?
What do the artist’s modern art forms and colors represent in the image above?

How is art used in African initiation rituals?
Art such as masks and sculptures is used to educate initiates, represent spirits, and mark the transition to adulthood.
Where is the artist of the painting above originally from?

Ethiopia
What would be a good occasion to give a biiga doll?
To a young woman or new bride hoping to have children (for fertility and protection).
What would be a good occasion to give a biiga doll?
A biiga doll would be a thoughtful gift for a woman hoping to have a child, since the dolls are associated with fertility and motherhood.
What do individuals from the Ivory Coast believe about the spirit world?
Many people in the Ivory Coast, including the Baule, believe that the spirit world exists alongside the human world. They may believe that each person has a spirit spouse there who can affect their life in this world.
What do the patterns on the wall panels seen above symbolize?

The potential and vigor of the person being initiated.
What do individuals from the Ivory Coast believe about the spirit world?
They believe that the spirits of their ancestors watch over and protect them.
What African method of demonstrating status can be seen in the image above?

the dress of the king
In the bwami system of the Lega people, what did the masks do?
They taught lessons and represented moral values or proverbs.
How is art used in African initiation rituals?
Art is used in initiation rituals to symbolize a person’s transition to a new stage of life and to teach initiates about spiritual beliefs, community values, and responsibilities. Masks and costumes may represent spirits or ancestors.
What do the artist’s modern art forms and colors represent in the image above?

What material was often used in African art to depict people of power?
What do the patterns on the wall panels seen above symbolize?

The potential and vigor of the person being initiated.
What African method of demonstrating status can be seen in the image above?

The king demonstrates his status through elaborate clothing and adornment, including jewelry and an ornate headdress.
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