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 Couple African Wooden Carving LUBA Pillow Headrest Africa DR Congo $99.00 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 56m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 Vintage African wood Tribal Folk Art Figure Voodoo 13 1 2 ins $47.39 Time Remaining: 2h 19m |
 Africa Tanzania Makonde lipico helmet mask 1 african tribal art $287.61 Time Remaining: 16h 27m |
 African tribal Marka mask with two faces Mali $379.27 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 6m |
 Beautifully carved early 19th century West African wooden mask with twin figures $39.51 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 55m |
 AFRICAN WOODEN STATUE $22.00 Time Remaining: 16d 2h 18m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 Africa Congo Lega mask 7 african tribal art $80.60 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 1m |
 African Tribal Collection DAN KRAN CHIMPANZEE MASK LIBERIA Collectors piece $8.69 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 57m |
 African Tribal GREBO WARRIOR SHIELD MASK Liberia DAN $41.09 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 47m |
 Vintage Rare Antique Hand Carved Wood African Tribal Mans Head with Dreadlocks $17.38 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 13m |
 An Known CONGOLESE Basin Area Pipe African Wooden Carving Africa DR Congo $80.00 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 8m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 Africa Tanzania Makonde lipico helmet mask 8 african tribal art $173.83 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 35m |
 African Hand Carved Wooden Chair $30.00 Time Remaining: 22h 46m |
 Africa Congo Songye kifwebe mask on panel 1 african tribal art $79.02 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 59m |
 ANTIQUE AFRICAN TRIBAL MASK $55.31 Time Remaining: 23h 1m |
 Amazing African Wooden Carving LUBA Pillow Headrest Africa DR Congo $110.00 Time Remaining: 8d 31m Buy It Now for only: $110.00 |
 Africa Congo Songye kifwebe mask 9 african tribal art $154.87 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 43m |
 Vintage African Kalahari Bushmen Wooden Quiver Arrows $199.95 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 57m |
 Kenyan Ethnic Carved Wood African Native Male Smoking a Pipe $15.79 Time Remaining: 13h 43m |
 Wooden Beater For Bark Cloth West Africa SALE $24.95 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 16m |
 African Vintage Handmade Beaded Wooden Necklaces $12.00 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 49m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 African tribal Kongo fetish nail figure $442.48 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 37m |
 Africa Congo Lega wooden ceremonial spoon 4 african tribal art $56.89 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 51m |
 Pair Ethnic Carved Wood African Native Male Twin Figurines Unmounted $31.59 Time Remaining: 13h 43m |
 Dogon Early Tellem Wooden Headrest Antique African Art Tribal Furniture Mali $495.00 Time Remaining: 28d 20h 8m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
 AUTHENTIC OLD AFRICAN ASHANTI WOODEN STOOL GHANA AKAN $295.00 Time Remaining: 4d 2h 49m Buy It Now for only: $350.00 |
 Wooden Neck Rest $99.00 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 1m |
 Beautifully carved 19th century West African wooden mask in stunning order $39.51 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 49m |
 African tribal male Fang reliquary figure $189.64 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 33m |
 Ewe Wooden Doll VENOVI Twin Figure Togo African $24.00 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 LARGE USED AFRICAN DAN TRIBE CELEBRATION MASK COTE DIVOIRE $393.49 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 39m |
 Africa Congo Luba statuette 6 african tribal art $101.14 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 32m |
 African Tribal Collection EXQUISITE YORUBA CELEBRATION POT NIGERIA $1,104.63 Time Remaining: 5d 43m |
 African wooden headrest believed to be of Dinka manufacture $120.00 Time Remaining: 5d 19h 53m |
 Tutsi Wooden Container Rwanda Burundi African $99.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 16m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
 African tribal Lega figure $237.05 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 55m |
 Africa Congo Songye kifwebe mask 6 african tribal art $205.44 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 38m |
 African Kuba Wooden Handmade Palm Wine Cup Black Kikansala 3 Faces $20.00 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 46m |
 Used African Ethiopian ethnic Gurage wooden coffee jar container $15.79 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 57m |
 AFRICAN ANIMISTIC YORUBA WOODEN SHANGO FETISH ARTIFACT DANCE WAND NIGERIA ETHNIX $375.00 Time Remaining: 29d 5h 30m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 African Tribal DAN GUERE TRIBAL WARRIOR FIGURE Cote DIvoire $124.84 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 45m |
 African tribal Baule monkey $284.45 Time Remaining: 5d 21h 57m |
 African Tribal KRAN MAOU BIRD MASK Liberia DAN $314.48 Time Remaining: 5d 29m |
 ASHANTI AFRICAN FERTILITY AKUABA WOODEN DOLL MATERNITY MOTHERHOOD GHANA ETHNIX $475.00 Time Remaining: 17d 19h 52m Buy It Now for only: $475.00 |
 Africa Congo Songye kifwebe mask 4 african tribal art $158.03 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 33m |
 Africa Congo Boa mask 3 african tribal art $105.88 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 44m |
 Lot of Two Carved wooden African Figures Man Woman $9.99 Time Remaining: 9h 39m |
 ANTIQUE LARGE WOODEN AFRICAN WISE MAN SCULPTURE WOW $31.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 13m |
 AFRICAN ANCESTRAL DOGON MASKED FIGURE HORN WOODEN STATUE MALI ETHNIX $250.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 AFRICAN CARVED WOODEN CEREMONIAL STAFF HAND FIGURES CARVING $63.20 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 37m |
 Africa Congo Lega mask 4 african tribal art $79.02 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 17m |
 Africa Congo Lega mask 5 african tribal art $94.82 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 19m |
 Africa Congo Zimba mask 3 african tribal art $82.18 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 25m |
 Cilindrical Lidded Box KUBA Carving Wooden DR Congo African $100.00 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 Africa Congo Lega mask 6 african tribal art $88.50 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 22m |
 African Tribal LARGE MOSSI BIIGA FERTILITY DOLL AFRICA Private Collection $156.45 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 20m |
 Large Antique Ethiopian Wooden Icon $780.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $860.00 |
 Large Antique Ethiopian Wooden Icon $780.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 45m Buy It Now for only: $860.00 |
 Cute Couple African Wooden Carving LUBA Pillow Headrest Africa DR Congo $102.00 Time Remaining: 17d 4h 5m Buy It Now for only: $102.00 |
 Africa Congo Songye kifwebe mask 7 african tribal art $158.03 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 3m |
 Africa Tanzania Fipa mask 2 african tribal art $142.23 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 29m |
 Africa Congo Songye small kifwebe mask 2 african tribal art $79.02 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 56m |
 AFRICAN DOGON CEREMONIAL COUPLE WOODEN HUSBAND WIFE DOUBLE FIGURE MALI ETHNIX $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 6d 8h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 |
 Africa Congo Luba stool 1 african tribal art $205.44 Time Remaining: 6d 5m |
 Wooden African Mask $10.00 Time Remaining: 19h 47m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Senufo Ceremonial Wooden Spoon African Tribal Art $1.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 15m |
 Africa Congo Bembe janus statuette 1 african tribal art $102.72 Time Remaining: 5d 23h 12m |
 Tribal Carved African Baule Mask Ivory Coast from Private Collection $156.45 Time Remaining: 28d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $156.45 |
 Africa Congo Luba headrest 8 african tribal art $82.18 Time Remaining: 6d 2m |
 Gorgeous African Wooden Mask Made In Ghana Vintage Stunning Ready to Hang $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 52m |
 HAND CRAFTED AFRICIAN WOODEN MASK $20.99 Time Remaining: 19h 43m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 VERY OLD WOODEN AFRICAN WOODEN STATUE TRIBE FANG COLONIAL GABON GUINEA RIO MUNI $169.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 52m |
 Divine Old African Wooden Carving LUBA Pillow Headrest Africa DR Congo $85.00 Time Remaining: 8d 49m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
 Antique Ethiopian Wooden Headrest $60.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 17m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 Ancient Wooden Cameroon Bamileke Dance Mask Helmet $300.00 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 28m Buy It Now for only: $400.00 |
 VINTAGE TRIBAL HANDCRAFTED WAR CLUB CARVED MAYAN AFRICAN EGYPTIAN WOODEN $49.99 Time Remaining: 6d 17h 27m |
 Nupe wooden Stool from Nigeria African carved incised decoration $80.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 25m |
 Wooden Carving African TABWA Standing Figure DR Congo $148.00 Time Remaining: 19d 1h 48m Buy It Now for only: $148.00 |
 African tribal Bete male figure $347.67 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 49m |
 TWO HANDCARVED WOODEN KNIFES OR LETTER OPENERS FROM KENYA AFRICIA $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 3m Buy It Now for only: $125.99 |
 Wooden figurine Large African Carved Woman Lady Wood Sculpture $29.99 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 18m |
 Very Old African Wooden Carving KAMBATTA Ethiopian Headrest Africa Ethiopia $25.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 African Wooden Double Spoon $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 59m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Decorative Wooden Cameroon Fang Dance Mask $80.00 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 32m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 African wooden sculpture $200.00 Time Remaining: 3d 15h 38m |
 Beautiful Dogon Old Ritual Mask Mali African primitive art $3.00 Time Remaining: 4d 3h 42m |
 African Craft Ethiopian ethnic wolita tribal wooden spoon $23.69 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 28m Buy It Now for only: $23.69 |
 ANTIQUE CONGOLESE WOODEN HAND CARVED SMOKING PIPE MANGBETUCONGO MAKE OFFER $1.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 8m |
 BWA SACRED ALLIGATOR MASK Burkina Faso African primitive art $195.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 59m |
 African Art Wooden Cup $10.00 Time Remaining: 4d 20h 41m |
 AFRICAN WOODEN 3 MAN UNITY CARVINGAMAZINGLY CARVED FROM A SINGLE PIECE OF WOOD $40.00 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 20m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 AFRICAN BAMBARA ANCESTRAL SCAR WOODEN MATERNITY STATUE FEMALE FIGURE MALI ETHNIX $375.00 Time Remaining: 10d 1h 12m Buy It Now for only: $375.00 |
 ANTIQUE AFRICAN WOODEN SHARI PUNU FUNERAL MASK TRIBE WO $225.00 Time Remaining: 6d 1h 1m |
 DAGARA CAIMAN INITIATORY MASK Burkina Faso African primitive art $149.00 Time Remaining: 5d 30m |
 2 Beautifully Hand Carved Wooden African Statues $19.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 19m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 AFRICAN CARVED TRIBAL SPEAR WITH HAND BEATEN IRON HEAD WOODEN SHEATH $102.72 Time Remaining: 7d 23h 51m |
 AFRICAN ANCESTRAL INITIATION FEMALE BAMBARA WOODEN STATUE FIGURE MALI ETHNIX $850.00 Time Remaining: 12d 8h 5m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 |
 Rare Dogon African carved Wooden Box in the Shape of a Horse $595.00 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 48m |
 Hand craved Africian Statue Wooden of Women with baby $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 34m |
 S26 vintage wooden woven horse tail Indian animal fly whip 26 $9.99 Time Remaining: 7d 3h 20m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
African Tribal Art – a Rich Heritage of Fascinating Diversity
Tribal art has been part of African culture for more than 6,000 year. There are hundreds of tribes in Africa and each one of them has their own unique style of art forms adding wide diversity to African tribal art. The best known of the forms of African tribal art are:
1. Sculpture
Most of the African sculptures are done in wood. Often in these wooden sculptures, artists depict the spirits of deceased people. Features like the symmetric facial expressions, strong, unmoving posture, and portrayal of humans in the prime of life, large heads, and prominent navels can be noticed in the wooden human sculptures.
2. Pottery
The beauty of the African artwork can also be noticed in the traditional utensils and various pottery items. Hand made vases, pots, plates and bowls made of clay were further painted by artists to make each of the items more appealing. Along with wood and clay, some terracotta pieces of genuine antiquity have also been found which tell us about the ingenuity of these ancient people.
3. Jewellery
Items like earrings, neck pieces, bracelets or other jewelry pieces of African tribal society are one of a kind and have a genuine ceremonial or daily usage background. Hand crafted jewelleries, made from elephant hair, giraffe hair, lion claw, ivory, bones of animals, are not only beautiful but also unique in their own way.
4. Masks
Now let's move on to masks. Who does not know about African masks? In most of the traditional dance forms, dancers wear masks. In fact ritual African costumes remain incomplete without masks. Face masks are used during processions, local festivals and other celebrations and even at funerals. There are even tribal masks of African animals such as elephants, zebras and antelopes.
5. Paintings
African painters use highly abstracted and regimented visual canons along with different shades of colors to represent the qualities and characteristics of any subject. Nature is the most common subject in African paintings.
In many of the African tribal art forms, artists try to capture the various forms of animals and plant life. However, the unifying theme is the fascination with the human figure. There are some famous painters of the Western world who were highly influenced by African paintings such as Gauguin, Modigliani, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Picasso.
About the Author
Tony Chalmers is a travel journalist who has written many insightful articles on African tribal art forms which have been published in newspapers, magazines and web mags. He is also a collector and is a proud owner of some beautiful African paintings.
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