Sharon Stars International SchoolTHE TRADITIONAL ART Traditional Art refers to art forms that have been passed down through generations, often rooted in cultural heritage and historical practices. The Traditional Art of West Africa cannot be discussed properly if Nigeria artists are not mentioned. When we look at art of Nigeria, we find that it has its unique features and form, from triangles, squares and rectangles, and line.
LIST OF NIGERIN TRADITIONAL ARTS
i. Nok Art iiIfe Art iii.lgbo Ukwu Art iv.Benin Ar v.Esie Soap Stone vi.Mbari Vii.Owo
PLACES OF ORIGIN OF EACH CULTURE
1. NOK Tin miners digging in the central Nigeria of Nok in now Kaduna State accidentally dug out the oldest work of Art known as Nok Art. The art culture found where mainly heads, which are broken at the neck. . The occupation of the Nok people were basically farming. The discovery of the Nok Tera cotta was archaeological made by a researcher- Mr. Benard Fagg in the year 1943
2. Ife Art Royal and sophisticated art works were produced in the royal count of lfe, in Osun State. A sacred Yoruba city in south-westem Nigeria. Art works from Ife is mostly done in a naturalistic style. Most of the works found in lfe are done on terra cotta, bronze in the fom of heads and quarts stools and figures. These works are produced to honour the king and the technique is mostly the cire perdu style otherwise called lost wax technique.
3. Igbo Ukwu The bronze works found by Isaiah Anozie in this town, lgbo-ukwu in Anambra State was made possible while he was excavating cisterns (A reservoir or tank for holding water, especially for catching and holding rainwater for later use)in his compound. This sculptural works was found in the year 1938. While they were digging they found different types of Works like Bronze shell, Bronze bowl pot and stools. Their works were highly decorated with reptiles and geometric shapes.
4. Benin Art Benin is a well-known ancient town located in now Edo State of Nigeria. Benin Art is classified into two parts. The Court art (theyare royal art because they were basically done for the oba- the divine kink)and The Folk art. The art of Benin empire existed between 1440 to 1897 before they were Conquered by the colonial masters of British. Most of the Benin art works are found in the British museum.
FUNCTIONS OF NIGERIAN TRADITIONAL ARTS The roles and functions of Nigeria traditional art can be classified under these subheadings. Social function. Religious function. Cultural preservation. Economic funcion. a. Social Function African art in those days were produce for entertainment purposes. The faces of masquerades and masks were used during lgbo festivals and won to create fun.
2. Religious Function Most African art were mainly inspire for relgious purposes. The works produced were not just for the sake of art activation but were worshiped and used to represent ancestors and deities. The African produced sculptural pieces to represent the Supreme Being e.g. Amadioha, lgwekala, Ikenga.
3. Cultural Preservation Works of art help to preserve the culture of the land, for example mask costume when kept reminds the people of the Culture. It is a form of record keeping.
4. Economic Function Art works considered beautiful or expensive has always been man's way of displaying wealth and social status. Art works help to make money for the artist.