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Visual

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Introduction
  Throughout Central Africa, visual art is apparent in everyday life. When exploring countries such as Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Rwanda, they all have a common theme of utilizing visual art as something functional, decoration, or entertainment. Most of these countries depend on items like sculptures, masks, and basketry as their main option for visual expression; however, architecture and cinema can also be incorporated to understand this region’s culture. In this section, there will be a breakdown of these different types of visual art and how the countries listed above utilize them along with examples. 

Masks  

Masks in Central Africa are made from a variety of materials and symbolize different aspects of a country’s culture. In Angola, many masks are made from resources like bronze, ivory, wood, malachite, or ceramics. These were often worn at rituals or ceremonies to go with music that was played or to storytelling. Meanwhile, masks in Cameroon that are from beads, cowrie shells, and brass sheathing often symbolize authority, privilege, and prestige--typically of a Fon, or king. These qualities can be seen in the image below, which displays a mask entitled the “Helmet  Mask.” In Equatorial Guinea, masks were often abstract and conceptual due to the Fang ethnic group. They also traditionally made them to resemble animals such as crocodiles and lizards. They can also be functional, for example, when someone wears one during hunting in countries such as Gabon. While masks in Central Africa can provide symbolism and functionality, they have also inspired other artists’ pieces. The designs of a specific mask created in the Republic of the Congo, the Mbuya Mask, had elements in their designs that influenced Pablo Picasso, leading him to incorporate such qualities within his painting, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. (See Figure)

Sculptures

Sculpting in Central Africa was utilized to express emotion and explore symbolism.  Many sculptures derived from a specific ethnic group or tribe as a symbol of their beliefs. They were often created with materials such as wood or metal like bronze. The most infamous sculpture in Angola is called “The Thinker,” which is a statue bending over with its hands on its head made of wood. The concept is to portray a human in thought to represent the sense of wisdom and knowledge.
Since this piece originated within the Chokwe tribe, the people believe it will provide protection spiritually. In Cameroon, the Bamoun ethnic group produced lost-wax bronze sculptures that included royal reliquaries and were partially used for decoration. (See figure) Gabon tribes are also known for using metal like brass and copper to carve and create sculptures. Finally, sculptures of the Republic of the Congo have at least fifty different styles in relation to different tribes--Kongo, Suku, Molo, etc--which were created from wood.

Basketry

People typically use baskets as a means to hold other items such as food and clothing. Within Central Africa, the creation of the baskets is considered a form of art where the end result could be both decorative and functional. In Burundi, the art of basketry is popular among artisans. Furthermore, the Tutsi women wove baskets using materials such as papyrus root, bast fiber, and banana leaves; and in order to decorate them, they use mud or natural plants extractions for color dye. While they can place these as decorations, the women find functional ways of using them--for example as water canisters, carrying containers on heads, and storage. 

Architecture

Architecture can be considered another form of art because the materials used could have a specific meaning. In Gabon, buildings made of cement are typically seen as a sign of wealth. Government related and other buildings within the capital were made with cement while village houses were made with impermanent materials. Some were made with mud, others with wood, bark, or brick. The material used to develop homes was a defining factor of people’s financial means. The definition of cement, which equals wealth, can also be seen in the architecture of the Central African Republic. Buildings or home styles, specifically in Bangui, the capital, are determined by ethnicity and wealth. The permanent buildings are typically made of cement and metal while the houses are made of sun-dried bricks and grass. Overall, architecture has an underlying meaning and subtly expresses a small portion of people’s lives.

Cinema 

The entertainment industry is filled with multiple forms of art including performing and visual. Since performing arts will be discussed in the next section, for now the focus will be on film and cinema--a visual form of art and entertainment. The Republic of the Congo has been involved in the film industry since 1970. Major directors include Alain Nkodia, Sebastien Kanga, and Jean-Michel Tchissoukou. The Congo contains many famous female film directors such as Annetter Kouamba, Clausia Haidara Yoka, and Yacine Kimbembe. Their overall goals for their films is to promote positive images of women and focus on the changes occurring in perspectives of females within their society. With this in mind, the art of cinema is calling attention to strong and important messages in which audiences must learn and practice.

Bibliography

Burundi. (n.d.). Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Burundi.html

Cameroon. (n.d.). Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Cameroon.html

Central African Republic. (n.d.). Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures: https://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Central-African-Republic.html

Congolese Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved from Friends of the Congo: https://friendsofthecongo.org/congolese-culture/

Culture & Arts. (2011). Retrieved from Embassy of the Republic of Angola, Belgrade - Serbia: https://www.angolaembassy.org.rs/about/culture

Equatorial Guinea. (n.d.). Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures: https://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Equatorial-Guinea.html

Gabon. (n.d.). Retrieved from Countries and Their Cultures: https://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Gabon.html

Helmet Mask. (1964). Retrieved from The Met 150: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/311021