Blog Post 7

    The vast African continent, with its diverse cultures and histories, played host to intricate trade networks throughout the Medieval era. The exchange of goods, ideas, and artistic styles across these networks significantly influenced the development and distribution of African art. Here are three objects from different parts of the continent that illuminate the influence of trade on African art during this period:

 

King's Bead Robe (Front)

King's Bead Robe (Back)

1. Beaded Regalia of the Yoruba Kingdom (West Africa):

   - Description: The Yoruba people, primarily residing in what's now southwestern Nigeria, have a rich tradition of beadwork. Their kings, queens, and nobility often wore intricate beaded crowns, necklaces, and garments as symbols of their prestige and divine authority. The beads used were often of vibrant colors, creating dazzling displays when worn. A quintessential example is the beaded robe of the king, resplendent in vibrant colors, seen here. This regalia is not merely ornamental; it serves as a symbolic embodiment of the king's role and the history and beliefs of the Yoruba people. The colorful beadwork on the king's regalia represents the king's role as the unifier of the myriad òrìsàs (deities) revered by the Yoruba people. The choice of colors might reflect the aesthetic preferences of the king or the beadworker, intertwining personal taste with spiritual symbolism. When adorned in this regalia, the king metamorphoses into a living emblem of his kingdom's spiritual potency, prosperity, and overall well-being.

On the back of this beaded robe, a face is prominently featured—a recurring motif in Yoruba beadwork. This face could represent the òrìsà Oduduwa or the symbolic "inner face" of the king himself. As per Yoruba cosmogony, Oduduwa, under directives from the supreme deity Olodumare, played a pivotal role in the creation of the world and humankind. Additionally, Oduduwa is revered as the progenitor and inaugural king of the Yoruba people. Hence, such facial representations on the robe forge a spiritual and ancestral link between the reigning king and the illustrious lineage of monarchs who preceded him. The expansive, unblinking eyes underscore the king's ever-vigilant gaze, serving as a perpetual reminder that he ceaselessly watches over and safeguards his subjects.

   - Trade Impact: Beads were significant items of trade in Africa. While the Yoruba made many of their beads, they also obtained various types through trade with neighboring regions and from as far away as India and the Middle East. The influx of different types of beads and the influence of other cultures' aesthetics and techniques impacted the designs and materials of the Yoruba beaded regalia. These trade relations enriched the artistic palette and materials available to beadworkers, enabling them to craft regalia that reflected both local traditions and external influences. The beaded items not only served a ceremonial and spiritual purpose but also highlighted the kingdom's wealth and its participation in wide-reaching trade networks.

Zimbabwe Bird Statue

Zimbabwe bird statues pictured at the National Sports Stadium

 

2. Great Zimbabwe's Soapstone Birds (Southern Africa):

   - Description: The soapstone bird sculptures found in the ruins of Great Zimbabwe are notable artifacts unique to this historic site. These sculptures, approximately 40 centimeters (16 inches) in height, are perched atop columns that stretch over 90 cm (3 ft), and they were strategically placed on walls and monoliths within the ancient city. The ruins of Great Zimbabwe, constructed by the ancestors of the Shona people starting in the 11th century, encompass roughly 730 hectares (1,800 acres) and stand as the grandest ancient stone construction in sub-Saharan Africa.

   - Trade Impact: The Kingdom of Zimbabwe was central to the gold trade, linking the interior gold mines with trade ports on the coast. The city's wealth and importance in trade networks might have facilitated the exchange of ideas and art styles. The aesthetic and symbolic significance of the soapstone birds could have drawn from or influenced art from trading partners, evidencing the interconnectedness of the region. The exact symbolism behind these soapstone birds remains a subject of debate and fascination. One theory posits that each bird could symbolize a new king, though this interpretation is challenged by the potential implications of exceptionally long reigns. A more widely accepted interpretation, rooted in the beliefs of the Shona people, suggests that these birds represent sacred or totemic animals. Specifically, they could depict the bateleur eagle (chapungu in Shona), considered a divine messenger connecting the mortal realm with Mwari (God) and the ancestral spirits. Alternatively, the soapstone figures might represent the fish eagle (hungwe), which some believe was the original totem of the Shona people.

 

Sayyid al-Mukhtar ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Bakr al-Kunti al-Kabir. al-Minnah fi Itiqad Ahl al-Sunnah (The Gift of the Followers of the Path of Muhammad)

al-Hajj Umar ibn Said al-Futi. Rimah Hizb al-Rahim 'ala Nuhuri Hizb al-Rajim (The Spear of the Merciful against the Throat of the Reviled)

3. Islamic Manuscripts of Timbuktu (West Africa):

   - Description: The city of Timbuktu, in present-day Mali, was a major center of Islamic scholarship during the Medieval era. It was home to numerous madrasahs and libraries, which housed thousands of intricately decorated Islamic manuscripts. By the 14th century, Timbuktu had firmly established itself as the epicenter of a robust written tradition in Africa. Important texts were both authored and transcribed in the city. These manuscripts, some of which have survived from as early as the 14th century, encompass a broad spectrum of human knowledge. Ranging from scientific treatises to philosophical discourses, from detailed jurisprudential analyses to intricate poetry, these manuscripts are a testament to the sophisticated level of civilization attained by West Africans during the Middle Ages. They offer unequivocal evidence of a potent African literary tradition that has often been overlooked or underappreciated.

   - Trade Impact: Timbuktu was a pivotal node in the trans-Saharan trade network, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa. The introduction of Islam to West Africa via trade routes greatly impacted art and scholarship. The manuscripts, often adorned with gold leaf and intricate geometric designs, showcase the fusion of indigenous African art styles with Islamic motifs. The wealth generated from trade likely funded the scholarship and artistry of these manuscripts. The manuscripts of Timbuktu underscore the city's seminal role in fostering a vibrant intellectual tradition in West Africa, a tradition that was deeply intertwined with the broader Islamic scholarly community across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

 

In all three examples, the movement of goods, people, and ideas through trade networks played a crucial role in shaping artistic expression and innovation. African art from the Medieval era stands as a testament to the continent's dynamic intercultural exchanges and the rich tapestry of influences woven through its history.