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African craft is a vast and varied field, with its own local and international markets, depending on the specific kind of craft and its cultural significance. Here are some of the most popular types:
Textiles
An important part of African craft is represented by African textile art, which includes kente cloth from Ghana, bogolanfini from Mali, and shweshwe from South Africa. These fabrics are often handmade or handwoven and then dyed using traditional techniques. The patterns and colors used in these textiles have their own cultural meanings and are still employed in the creation of clothing, such as dresses, skirts, or trousers, as well as blankets and home decorative items.
Beadwork
African beaded jewelry is another type of craft mostly made in sub-Saharan Africa and is characterized by using bright colors and complex designs. Beads are mainly used to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and anklets, yet they are also used to make the designs on clothing. The Ndebele and Xhosa women in South Africa or the Maasai in East Africa are examples of this kind of work. Beadwork is often used to represent the social status and age of the person wearing a specific jewelry piece.
Wood Carving
This involves the making of many different wood and wood-related items, ranging from masks and sculptures to furniture and bowls. African wood carving is noted for its abstract shapes and bright colors. They also have a cultural significance, often associated with rituals or other spiritual activities.
Pottery and Ceramics
This also includes African traditional pots, which have been made for functional and ceremonial uses for a long time. The making of pots, but also the making of distinctive and widely recognized African earthenware, is a significant part of African pottery. Today, many African potters make their pots from local clay and then shape and fire them using traditional techniques that have been passed down through the generations.
Metalwork
Goldsmithing is another important African craft based on the development and use of metals. People made metal pieces such as jewelry, tools, and household items from the types of materials they either found in their locality or traded for. This craft includes techniques such as casting, forging, and engraving, and many of these practices have also been retained to the present day.
Basketry
This African craft involves weaving with grass, reeds, and other natural fibers to make baskets of different shapes and sizes, both for use and for selling as a collectable. African baskets are very much sought after due to their fine craftsmanship and often colorful designs.
The design of African crafts is based on different materials, techniques, and cultural elements that define the African continent.
Using natural resources is a crucial aspect of African art and craft when designing. These artists use materials that are readily available to them, such as clay, wood, and animal skins, as well as beads, to create their works. The practitioners of the craft do not only account for the material to be used but also how it will be made more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Another interesting aspect of African craft is that it focuses on functional art. Many crafted items serve practical purposes in daily life or even religious and community events. For instance, woven baskets may be used for carrying goods, and clay pots for cooking or storing food. Although they look beautiful, these pieces are primarily designed to serve a purpose.
Subsequently, the designs of African crafts are highly symbolic. The patterns and motifs used in the creation of textile art have meanings and sometimes tell stories about history, use, or ethnic groups. One good example is the use of colors and patterns in jewelry to tell or even show the social status and age of the woman wearing a piece of jewelry.
However, the design of African crafts uses a lot of geometric patterns and bright colors. These striking color combinations and bold patterns have come to make contemporary designs have more input from traditional designs.
Finally, it is worth noting that many African craft disciplines are cooperative and communal. The skills are usually passed down from generation to generation, to allow the group practicing the craft to maintain certain techniques while innovating sometimes. This aspect of sharing deeply affects the design process and ensures that it evolves but still respects the heritage.
The African craft scene can be observed in both its local and global dimensions, as well as in various contexts ranging from everyday life to official functions. Below are some representative scenarios:
Daily Use: A lot of African crafts serve functional purposes in people's daily lives, even if they are beautifully designed. Textiles, for example, are worn daily, and pottery is used for cooking and serving food. Woven baskets made from grass are very popular in most African homes when it comes to carrying or storing goods and organizing tasks at home and in kitchens.
Cultural and Ceremonial Contexts: African crafts are mostly used in cultural activities and ceremonies. Items relating to African traditional clothes are used for all cultural and religious ceremonies, including marriages and initiation rites, which are a show of beauty and purpose. Masks and sculptures used in rituals are made through strict adherence to the rules of the best craftsmen. While the crafts may be seen to have some commercial value, it is through these cultural practices that a more profound significance and value of the art is established.
Trade and Economic Contexts: African crafts are also widely sold in local and international markets, hence supporting the livelihoods of the artisans involved. Beaded jewelry, wooden sculptures, and woven items are very saleable in craft fairs, artist market places, and online stores. As the demand for authentic and ethically sourced handicrafts grows, many African artisans are now capitalizing on this situation by exporting their products to foreign markets.
Educational Context: In addition to the practical significance of African crafts, they are also a good way to learn about the continent's history, traditions, and cultures. Most of the craft making is done through apprenticeship where one learns how to do it from watching others. Schools and community centers often help keep the craft alive by offering lessons in beadwork, weaving, carving, and other techniques.
Contemporary and Globalized Context: There are many African artisans who infuse contemporary design with traditional techniques to make their craft relevant to a wider audience. Such items can be used as home décor pieces that suit modern interiors yet hold an African heritage. This blending of the old and the new has also been helpful in arousing the interest of people from outside Africa and creating more of a demand for African craft products in the global market.
This is specifically concerned with the care and preservation of the African craft items to maintain their integrity, functionality, and aesthetics in the best way for many generations.
Beaded Jewelry: Beaded jewelry pieces should be handled with care as they are generally very fragile. One must store necklaces and bracelets away from direct sunlight as the sun could fade their colors. To clean beaded items, one should avoid wet cloths and, if necessary, use a dry cloth to wipe off dust. This dry cloth should be used with great care, as it may not unduly stress or break the beads.
Wood Carvings: Crafting items from wood, such as carvings or furniture, requires placing them away from direct sunlight and near sources of heat, such as radiators. The reason for doing this is that direct sunlight and excessive heat can cause the wood to crack or change its shape. It is also recommended to polish or apply a protective finish on the surface of the wood so that it does not dry out and is protected from termites and other insects.
Pottery and Ceramics: African crafts made using kiln and open firing techniques are durable but should be treated with care. Most clay pots are meant for decorative purposes only and should not contain water or liquid. For pottery pieces, use a dry cloth to dust the surface regularly. Deep cleaning should be limited, and when necessary, a damp cloth should be used to avoid damage to the clay.
Textiles: African clothes and other textile items require washing based on the recommendations of the tags. However, whenever possible, wash in cold water to help retain the colors, and when drying, avoid putting them directly in the sun. Ideally, place the pieces in the shade to maintain vibrant colors and the texture of the fabric. To help maintain the shape and design of the fabric, one should use appropriate detergents that do not have any harsh chemicals in them.
Metalwork: African artifacts made by metalworking require very little maintenance; however, one must ensure that they are stored in dry areas to avoid corrosion. If tarnish appears on brass, copper, or silver items, one should use metal polish and cloth to clean the item gently. Care should be taken when using abrasive materials to clean metal items so that the item is not scratched and the shine as well as aesthetic appeal is lost.
General Tips: When caring for any African craft item, one should avoid exposing the item to chemicals or abrasive substances and always handle it with care. Creating an environment that protects the pieces from excessive heat, humidity, or cold is another way to preserve the artwork. All these care practices ensure that the African craft is preserved and maintained in its original state for the foreseeable future.
A1: African craft is a form of creation, where an artisan or a group of artisans creates craft pieces, such as jewelry, wooden toys, wall art, civilizational picture art, and many other items to use or sell.
A2: The African craft utilizes the materials found within the continent, like clay, wood, metal, natural fibers, and beads, as well as the materials that the artisans are able to procure in their daily activities.
A3: There are also some African crafts that are meant to address the problems of our generation, such as plastic pollution. Some contemporary artisans use materials like discarded plastic.
A4: African artisans have been practicing this form of art since time immemorial. That has been detailed from one generation to another, thus enabling them to make a strong and durable item due to its little weep through experience.
A5: Yes, the artisans do not only make the crafts but also market them. They sell their work directly to customers, to wholesalers, or via online platforms that support handmade items.
