How did colonialism affect African culture?
How did colonialism affect African culture?
Colonialism made African colonies dependent by introducing a mono- cultural economy for the territories. It also dehumanized African labour force and traders. It forced Africans to work in colonial plantations at very low wages and displaced them from their lands.
What is the significance of masks in Africa?
Masks serve an important role in rituals or ceremonies with varied purposes like ensuring a good harvest, addressing tribal needs in times of peace or war, or conveying spiritual presences in initiation rituals or burial ceremonies. Some masks represent the spirits of deceased ancestors.
How did colonialism affect African art?
African art can be said to have moved away from traditional styles and values because of the effects of colonialism. This has been shown in when defining African art as in the case of young African artists. These art has shown the history of their culture and people.
What is the history of African masks?
The existence of African masks can be traced as far back as the Stone Age. For thousands of years, African people have incorporated tribal masks into their cultural ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations. Each of these creations is designed according to the particular traditions of their region.
How did colonization affect the culture?
One impact of colonization is “pyschocultural marginality” or the loss of one’s cultural identity along with social and personal disorganization. Such impact is produced when people are denied access to their traditional culture, values and norms leading to historical trauma and cultural alienation (Dalal, 2011).
What influenced the culture of Africa?
Today’s development in Africa is largely influenced by foreign culture, especially western culture as there is a spread of the western consumerist life-style and patterns of elite citizens.
Why were masks an important part of ancient West African culture?
Masks were very important during ceremonies because they were used to entertain the people. The masks made dancers look more exciting, and they played a major role in arousing the interest of the audience. The mask wearer can become a sort of medium that allows for a dialogue between the community and the spirits.
What influenced African art?
Because of colonialism and slavery, African art found its way around the world. First presented as curiosities of primitive cultures, objects such as masks and sculptures influenced European artists looking for a new vocabulary that didn’t rely on Realism.
How did colonial rule cause a breakdown in traditional African culture?
How did colonial rule cause a breakdown in traditional African culture? Traditional authority was replaced, men were forced to leave their villages to find work, and society was undermined by contempt for traditional culture.
What two forces influence the style of an African tribal mask?
The two main factors that influence the style of an African tribal mask are tradition and imagination.
