What Is The Role Of Diversity In African American Culture

Improved Essays
According to Kleiner’s analysis of African art before the 1800s, caves such as the Apollo 11 come from Africa and are assumed to be some of the oldest paintings currently discovered, showing the diversity of the continent itself. The works are difficult to date and decipher meaning, although some of the best work comes from the Benin Kingdom. Assumed to be established in the 13th century, most of its power rose along the 16th century. The kingship was considered sacred and presented artworks dedicated to honor oba,his family, and his ancestors. As represented with works such as the cast-brass royal shrine depicting oba twice as the head of the Benin culture, the figures suggested they were portable hand altars to celebrate achievement on battlefield and peacetime purposes. …show more content…
While the northern and southern regions are scattered with parched desert territories, high mountains occupy and the east and rivers such as the Niger, the Congo, and the Nile supply agricultural means to the populations. Despite there being over 2,000 distinct groups amongst Africa, many share the same core beliefs and practices. Ancestors play a key role in their society, as well as the nature deities they worship. Africa is big on tradition, and even some form of fortune-telling events. Due to the diversity of the continent, it is not odd for the diversity to be expressed in their artworks as well. With variance in subject matter, material, and function, the diversity is fully expressed effectively. Kleiner’s work continues to survey early works of Africa through the 18th century, and suggest the changes in their art foreign contact might have

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    El Anatsui is an inspirational African artist who has inspired the work of many other artists in the contemporary age. He is a mentor to other creative artist who devotes their lives for changing the way people see art, especially African art. In the article, “A Nomad’s Revolutionary Beauty,” the author, Elizabeth Harney, challenges the views of museums and critics about El Anatsui works and how it is limited when put in museums. El Anatsui’s artwork expresses a deeper, global, personal meaning, which is often being limited by museums and critics because of their approach of displaying his art in certain exhibitions. One of the main problems in museums, is the curators have a habit of installing El Anatsui’s work in the exhibitions of African and Contemporary sections.…

    • 1031 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The African-American survived due to the fact they helped each other, they took care of each other not only blood relatives but others also. During slavery everyone helped to raise each other’s children especially when parents were sold to other slave owners, other adults in the slave community took care of the children left behind, many slaves protected each other in spite of tribal and language differences. The biggest fear of families then was the threat of a child being sold. Even today African-Americans value family, many survive due to the fact that we help each other, and we take care of each other not only blood relatives but others also. The extended family is crucial.…

    • 2564 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    It is important to understand our diverse in America because there is different types of people in our society. For example our color, race, sex, religion, etc. Although, we are all different we are all equal. Many people seem to judge by looks and it shouldn’t be like that. We should all get to know each other and see the different in our country.…

    • 139 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benin Culture

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The need to memorialize and commemorate people and events has been a timeless tradition among humans and the lost Kingdom of Benin is no different. Created in the years, circa 1550-1650, one of over 900 plaques made to honor the Oba and record the events of the Court of Benin, this particular plaque, labeled Oba and attendants is a strong example of the craftsmanship and skill of the people of Benin. Through the use of various techniques, such as hierarchical scale and symbolism, the plaque tells an intricately detailed story of the events and ideals of the court. The brass plaque is a single piece of cast brass that is 18 ½ x 14 ½ x 4 in. The technology that is required for this plaque demonstrates the advanced nature of the Benin people and the specialization that could exist in their complex society.…

    • 860 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The media does not represent the diversity of America. Magazines, TV shows, movies, and models all make up media, but there are almost no non-white or black people that we see. The media should be more representative of people of color, other than African American. Asians and Latinos make up about 23% of all America. That’s nearly 905 million people in America that are barely, or not at all represented.…

    • 216 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Diversity and Culture of Native and African American Communities Sarah Kneifl University of South Dakota Abstract: This paper discusses the minority groups of the Native Americans and the African Americans. It explores the history of both groups, how they are similar and what makes them different. Based on the research, they both suffered at the hands of the whites. Even though both described it differently, the Native and African Americans wanted “citizenship.”…

    • 1289 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Sub-Saharan African culture and overall community were created and unified through the people themselves and were absent from tyrants or modern-day social classes. In fact, many African communities were based and morphed with pure the intention of survival amongst each other. Peace within societies was prominent during these times. Due to agricultural, environmental, and seasonal changes, consistent movement of communities was a necessity for their own survival and way of life. Reader states that “many if not most of the numerous communities that marked the spread of coping, herding and iron-making complex throughout Africa formed initially around small groups who moved from established communities to the relatively unpopulated frontiers” (Reader…

    • 398 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    I have started forming a thesis to my question and right now with all the research i have found so my answer is “ to somewhat extent” . For example, I see improvement in African American Women socio-economic life but their are still things that didn't change and it even became more negative. Such as the amendments were addressed and gave people the opportunity and the right to do things they didn't have before but that still didn't change people (Whites) point of view of African Americans role in society. I have sufficient information to begin formulating an argument. The information I have found has taken me in an unexpected direction because there's a lot of disagreement and real life people that have experience the hate and mistreatment…

    • 169 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Over the course of the years that African American Studies has been a separate functioning entity, there have been different ideological and political reasons for why African American studies are needed in institutions of higher education. Scholars such as Nathan Hare, John Henrik Clark, John W. Blassingame and Devere E. Pentony have given their own varied rationales as to why they believe African American Studies is a necessity within these institutions; if it is even one at all. Each of these men have different opinions on this topic but they do share one similar perspective. The historical importance of black people should be taught and made a fundamental component of African American Studies because in institutions of higher education,…

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    As we live in the world African Americans get shamed for being illiterate, but other races don’t understand that every culture is brought up differently. Whether its language, or cultural practices the way our culture is brought up we use those practices to tell our story. For example, each tattoo that we put on our body represents a symbol that tells a story of either a struggle or success, and that translates to our literacy purpose. Not all literacy purposes have to be spoken with words it can be expressed through symbols, and people consider African Americans illiterate because the literacy everyone uses is different. Some of the languages that black people understand other races may not, but just because one race can’t interpret a certain…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    It is important to understand our diverse America because we should know in the future how to change it. Our country should never be diverse, but instead, we should impact all of our races and make one, know as the American race. The land of opportunity and freedom should have no discrimination and no end to one’s dreams. We should all be treated the same exact way in this world. No race should be judged for the past or for what's to come.…

    • 123 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    There are many cultures and religions throughout Africa and many countries have different music and different foods. The African Government is split up into many different “states”, each one having a different government. South Africa’s food is mostly meat based. South Africa has eleven different languages.…

    • 489 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Benin Kingdom

    • 1308 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Benin kingdom known throughout Africa as a regional powerhouse in the fifteenth century (Royal Arts of West Africa Kingdom, Kathleen Berzock, pg. 6)” . Under the leadership of a certain Oba King called Oba Ewuare The Great, he is claimed as the one responsible for most of the fascinating improvements throughout the Benin Kingdom. From Kingship of ruling all the way to having influence to the royal rituals that included altars and shrines that were paramount in having the power to protect and renew the Benin kingdom.…

    • 1308 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    America’s Cultural Diversity The America today, which is the most diverse country in the world has been built and formed from many countries cultural and ethnic influences. Throughout the American history there have been influxes of various groups from around the world. These ethnic influences have been documented since the 1400s when Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain and came across the indigenous people of America. America was settled by the Spanish and the British with such settlements as Jamestown and Plymouth in the 1600s.…

    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In today’s society culture and the lifestyle of one’s self varies among each individual. Across the world there are different types of cultures, each identifying a person in a unique way. This culture diversity is defined as a way to differentiate among many other existing cultures based off many factors. Culture diversity in America is defined as a great contribution to society. Diversity itself enriches the world with many multinational cultures and customs that each individual contributes to society.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays