Deck 21: Africa

Question 1

Attributing artworks to specific African artists is sometimes difficult because ____.

A) individual styles are very similar
B) many people worked on each piece
C) early researchers rarely asked for artists name
D) the artists are very secretive

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What does the leopard symbolize in Benin iconography?

A) power
B) fertility
C) the seasons
D) rain

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What distinguishes the Great Mosque in Djenne from other mosques?

A) its plan
B) its ornamentation
C) its prayer hall
D) its materials

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The regalia of the Kuba king embodies his ____.

A) wealth
B) sacred kingship
C) military prowess
D) generous rulership

Question 5

Kongo Nkisi n'Kondi are believed to ____.

A) heal
B) communicate with the dead
C) house the soul of the first born
D) take on the spirit of its creator

Question 6

Nok figures are usually made of ____.

A) clay
B) bronze
C) copper
D) wood and straw

Question 7

The ____ people claim they are descendents of Chibinda Ilunga,the legendary hunter-king

A) Chokwe
B) Dogon
C) Yoruba
D) Nok

Question 8

The twentieth-century Benin king's head stands for ____.

A) wisdom, good judgment, and divine guidance
B) intelligence, honor, and good government
C) patience, humor, and wisdom
D) honor, virtue and strength

Question 9

Bamum art is known for its ____.

A) wood carving
B) ivory figures
C) nail figures
D) textiles and beads

Question 10

The linguist's staff of the Asante people reflects the rich ____.

A) verbal tradition relating to rule
B) written tradition relating to legend and fable
C) verbal tradition relating to the visual arts
D) spoken tradition of legend and fable

Question 11

The equestrian figure on a fly-whisk handle was created by the lost-wax bronze casting technique used much earlier in ____.

A) the Mediterranean
B) Africa
C) North America
D) Egypt

Question 12

Veneration of ____ is quite common among African cultures.

A) astrological events
B) ancestors
C) water
D) children

Question 13

The Benin ikegobo uses ____ to emphasize the king's dominance.

A) light and shadow
B) perspective
C) hierarchy of scale
D) a pyramidal composition

Question 14

In which of the following societies can women control and dance certain masks?

A) Mende
B) Benin
C) Kuba
D) Kongo

Question 15

Nok sites date from:

A) 2500 BCE
B) 1300 BCE
C) 500 BCE
D) 300 BCE

Question 16

Why does the Kota reliquary have a shiny surface?

A) to reflect the spirits
B) to shine in the sun during processions
C) to repel evil
D) to attract animals

Question 17

One of the king's praise names in the Benin culture is ____.

A) great head
B) great heart
C) great hunter
D) great healer

Question 18

Most terracotta Ile-Ife heads exhibit ____.

A) strict naturalism
B) complete idealism
C) idealized naturalism
D) perceptual naturalism

Question 19

Images of couples is the most common theme for the art of which of the following societies?

A) Mende
B) Kongo
C) Benin
D) Dogon

Question 20

Which of the following is a unique hybrid of African and European culture?

A) Nok head
B) Ife statue
C) Sapi saltcellar
D) Female Mask, Mende

Question 21

What is this? What does it commemorate?

Question 22

What is the function of the Kongo nail figure?

Question 23

For what purpose was this made?

Question 24

Describe how the figure is represented and why this is significant.

Question 25

Which examples of African art reveal interaction with Europeans?

Question 26

Explain the iconography of the carved Dogon couple.

Question 27

Explain the purpose of this image.

Question 28

Discuss the use of animals as iconographic symbols in early African visual arts.Consider their meanings and purposes.Use examples to support your essay.

Question 29

Explain the significance of this image.

Question 30

How does the style of this statue differ from those found at Ile-Ife?

Question 31

What is a bocio?

Question 32

What are Kota reliquary containers and how are they protected?

Question 33

What is the symbolism of the heads on a Benin royal ancestral altar?

Question 34

What is the purpose of most African masquerades?

Question 35

For what purpose was this made?

Question 36

Describe the style and function of a linguist's staff.

Question 37

Compare the Igbo-Ukwu Fly-Whisk and the Ife King.How does each work personify status within its society? Examine the purpose and function of each work as well.

Question 38

Why are the Ile-Ife sculptures considered to be examples of idealized naturalism?

Question 39

How do photographs like this allow for a fuller appreciation of African art?

Question 40

Why do scholars believe that the Great Zimbabwe had extensive trade networks?

Question 41

It has been said that art and life are integrated in African cultures.Explain what this means.Use examples to support your essay.

Question 42

Discuss how masquerades act as elements of social control in African cultures.Use examples to support your essay.

Question 43

You have been asked to assemble an exhibition of African art addressing ancestry.Which five examples will you include? Explain your selections.

Question 44

Discuss gender roles in African societies and how they affect the artistic production.Use examples to support your essay.

Question 45

Discuss the use of art to indicate social status in Africa.Use examples to support your essay.

Question 46

Attribute the images on the screen to a culture and give an approximate date.Give the reasons for your attributions,using complete sentences and referring to specific works discussed in class.

Question 47

Select one ruler's image from Egypt,Rome,and sub-Saharan Africa.Explain how each work embodies their rule.

Question 48

You have discovered an African sculpture.What formal,material,and iconographic features will help you attribute the sculpture either to the Nok or the Ile-Ife culture?