New African Handbags Added Today!

We are excited to announce that we have just added a whole new selection of African handbags to our store. They are all 100% handcrafted and will create a great sense of style. We have bags that are accented with beautiful beads and cowrie shells. We also have some nice leather bags that are genuine leather and will give more of a subtle and stylish look.

Stay tuned as more new and exciting products will be added soon.

Have a great day,
Acacia Wood Carvings

History of African Masks

As populations around the world explode and cultural traditions are lost to the modern world, the beauty and traditions of African masks are still alive and well. African masks play a deep and important role in the history of many African people and their ancestors. Some of the more rare and older masks are highly sought after by museums and private collectors, but even the reproductions of many of these masks are sought after by the average collector. The increasing popularity of African home décor in America and Europe has created a demand that is helping many local artisans and villages to sustain a decent living, or to help supplement their specific occupations such as farming. This article focuses on some of the history behind African masks, as well as some of the modern day trends of African art.

The origins and dates of African masks are highly debated, but some trace African masks back to pre Paleolithic times, while others believe that there is not enough evidence to distinctly determine the exact origins of the African mask. Either way, the importance of the mask in African culture is real and is still used to this day in many different ways. When it comes to the themes and motifs employed in African masks, they range from more or less clearly recognizable human features or busts to the heads of animals. There are also combinations of the two, including horned humans and hybrid creatures with human and animal features or with traits typical of various animal species.

The creators of these masks are expert woodcarvers, and are without exception men. In many cases, the skills that they possess are passed down from generation to generation. On the other hand, there are also many young boys that aspire to be expert woodcarvers and they are taught from a very young age. He might spend several years under a master carver learning the specific craft methods and how to create the products that are most in demand. Once the young man decides that he has learned the skills proficiently, he may go out on his own and open his own store. Many woodcarvers will use this as a form of supplemental income until they are able to make enough commissions to be a full-time traditional carver.

The masks are most typically born of a large single piece of wood. The tools used are very simple and somewhat primitive which is why there is so much skill involved to produce such beautiful pieces of art. For some carvers, the entire process is a spiritual journey and they will even be cleansed before the carving process is initiated. Once the carving process is complete, the carvings are usually given some sort of color or texture. Traditionally, many different types of organic dyes and pigments were used which required a great deal of knowledge with regards to these raw materials (especially plants). Today, many of the masks are typically colored with different types of oil based stains and dyes. The masks can then be adorned with a wide variety of native materials such as cowrie shells, metal, brass, fur, beads, dried grass, feathers and much more.

The great majority of African masks are associated not with certain living persons, but directly or indirectly with supernatural beings or spirits. The performance of masked figures is generally thought to represent the visit of spirits from the beyond among men in the here and now. These supernatural interpretations usually represent spirits of ancestors, spirits from mythical traditions like gods or cultural heroes, spirits of nature, like animals, rain spirits as well as spirits that cause fertility or illness. Finally, some of these supernatural presences represent spirits of possession.

It is important to note that the visual representation of a mask does not always portray its supernatural meaning. For instance, a mask that looks very scary with horns and a red face does not necessarily mean that the mask was created to represent a spirit of possession or something evil. In general, the external form and structure of a mask provides no clear indication of the type of presence it is intended to visualize.

It is very common for some of these older and more rare masks to be sold for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in America . Most of us are not able to purchase these types of masks, but that does not mean that you cannot enjoy beautiful African art for your own collection. Yes, there are many cheap reproductions coming out of Asia that you can find all over the internet, but there are also some very beautiful, affordable and authentic African pieces that almost anyone can get their hands on. If you are interested, please click on the following link and it will take you to authentic and affordable African home décor.

The Holidays Are Just Around The Corner!

It is amazing to me that the holidays are coming up so fast this year. I wanted to also announce that we are currently running Holiday specials on all of our African Home Decor. You can get 15% off your order plus FREE shipping on every order until the end of the year. It does not matter if you order 1 item or 10 items, you will get FREE shipping and the 15% discount.

We are very excited about the quality of our products. It really can be difficult to find authentic, well-made African art. We have tested multiple suppliers to inspect quality so that we can bring you the best African Decor at the most affordable prices. We pride ourselves in supporting the local African artisans that create these beautiful pieces and we will continue to do so.

Please take a visit through our store and have a wonderful weekend. African Home Decor

The African Dan Masks of the Ivory Coast

Of all African masks, those by the Dan people are the most distinguishable and highly sought after, with their minimal but expressively carved features, smooth modulations of facial planes and sleek polished black or dark brown surfaces. Collectors of African art adore the stark corpse-like faces of the Dan masks, which are normally crafted out of hard wood, cloth and cowry shell accents.

The Dan people have inhabited the regions of the Ivory Coast and Liberia since the eighth century B.C. Because they lacked a cohesive central government, identity as a Dan was fostered by a shared language and intermarriage within that language group. Much of their history has been entrenched in warfare and battles with neighboring tribes as well as with each other at times. This lead to the Dan warriors developing a somewhat ferocious reputation.

The Dan people classify surroundings into two realms - the village with all their inhabitants (human realm), and the forest (spirit realm) where the spirits reign, and wild animals roam freely. The forest is regarded as sacred, and crossing the boundary between the human realm and the spirit realm may only be done so by saying a prayer and wearing materials from both worlds. This creates a link between the two realms. Dan masks are guarded by the “go” master, the head of the secret society of the leopard who is responsible for the initiation rites of young men into adulthood.

Dan masks as well as most African masks are an integral part of social life, ceremonies and rituals. They are unique and were traditionally only carved by initiated members of the male Poro society. There are many different types of Dan masks, but most of them can be grouped into two main categories: the feminine mask, and the masculine mask. The feminine masks are typically characterized by an oval, pointed face, and feature slender slanted eyes, a long forehead, a slender nose, a half-opened mouth and a smooth patina finish. The shiny patina of the wood is typically created using vegetable extracts which gives the look of a lacquer finish. They are known for their calm, abstract beauty, and during ceremonies, the performer dances gracefully and harmlessly. The female Dan mask is an idealized form of beauty and grace.

Masks are made and worn exclusively by male dancers. They portray much more of a realistic form such as larger lips. Traditionally the masculine masks main function was to prepare men spiritually for war. The Dan people believe that the performing dancer is transformed into a spirit. The masked dancer will speak in the language of the spirits which is usually unintelligible. A wise man that accompanies the dancer during the ritual will then translate the messages for the people.

There are a variety of Dan face masks, each of which has a different function. They may be the intermediaries who act between the village and the forest initiation camp, may act against bush fires during the dry season, used in pre-war ceremonies for peace-making or for entertainment. Over time, many among them have lost their original function and have been recycled into contexts related to entertainment, emerging only for festivals or events organized for visitors or tourists.

The Kifwebe Masks of the Songye Tribe of Africa

The Songye tribe is located in the southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The history of the Songye tribe is closely related and intertwined with the neighboring Luba tribe, whom the Songye are related to through common ancestors. For the Songye, the mask was and still is an integral part of their culture used in religious, social and magical rituals. Each mask has a story to tell and plays a significant part in African tradition.

The Songye society used their masks to ward off disaster or any threat. It was also worn at ceremonies honoring a dead chief, at the installation of a new chief, at the welcoming of important visitors to the village, at the initiation rites of young men and a whole variety of other important events.

The most well known and highly sought after mask of the Songye tribe is known as the “Kifwebe” mask. These masks are typically associated with abstract shapes as well as beautiful textured lines and linear scarifications. The lines are usually painted with alternating black and white stripes, which give an almost hallucinating effect. Kifwebe masks can be male or female, with crested comb structures identifying male masks, the higher the crest, the more powerful the mask as well as the greater the spiritual power of the dancer.

Male and female masks are danced together, with each dancer encouraging the desired qualities of the sexes. The male dancers, adorned with their high-crested Kifwebe and bodies hidden by straw, display aggressive and typically uncontrolled behavior to help encourage social conformity. Their masks usually have wider stripes than the females, as well as bolder colors. The dancers wearing female masks perform more gently and even seductively, in a display linked to fertility. The Female Kifwebe masks are usually less aggressive, less colorful and typically portray more of a round or oval theme. Female masks essentially reflect positive forces and appear principally in dances held at night, such as during lunar ceremonies or at the death of a ruler.

The Songye Kifwebe masks are a striking representation of African art, and would complement any African décor collection. If you are interested in seeing more authentic African masks at affordable prices, please visit the following link African Tribal Masks.

The Marka Masks of Mali West Africa

The masks of the Marka (a Mande subgroup) originated in the landlocked country of Mali, West Africa. Long ago masks such as the Marka were thought to be extremely powerful and had the ability to frighten away evil spirits, convey messages from the spirit world and cure illnesses. The Marka would perform ceremonies devoted to fishing and farming, and their stylized masks would be danced to invoke the spirits to grant the community with abundant agricultural yields and a successful fishing season.

The Marka Masks are narrow and austere, with a sharp chin. They are brightly painted or coated with metal along with raised ornamentation, achieving a fine decorative effect that is very distinctive and different from most other African mask styles. The men of the Marka, clad in costumes of colorful cloth, always appear in pairs to represent man’s wooing of woman. The most characteristic deviation from the Bambara style is the cover of metal sheeting worked in conjunction with three metal bars attached to the forehead and red cotton at the end of each. The Marka society used this mask in two rituals, at the circumcision ceremony of adolescents, and when circumcised men advance from one grade to another. Along the Niger River the Marka used the masks in ceremonies related to fishing and farming.

This ethnic group is independent from the Bambara tribe but their styles show a strong Bambara influence. They live in the region that extends from the north of the Bambara to the Senegalese border. They live principally from agriculture with some subsidiary cattle rearing in the northern part of their territory. The dry savanna permits no more than a subsistence economy, and the soil produces, with some difficulty, millet, rice, and beans.

Fertility played an important role in African Agricultural ceremonies. They were based on the idea that through the correct rituals, man could raise up the vital forces dwelling in a mask by gaining the blessing of his ancestor in order to help fertility and therefore achieve protection and primary security. The Agricultural Festivities the Africans celebrated were performed at different stages of the crop cycle. This crop cycle started with clearing of the land, then the planting, the reaping of the fruits, the harvest and finally the filling of the food stores. The concept of these festivals was the sacredness of the soil, which belonged to the ancestors, or the “masters of the soil”. A successful harvest therefore depended on the thanksgiving of the ancestors or sometimes upon the good will of the goddess of the earth. See more African Home Decor.

West African Adinkra Symbols--History and Meanings

The Adinkra symbols of West Africa were created and developed by the Asante people of Ghana. The country of Ghana is a beautiful West African country on the Atlantic, situated between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo. The Adinkra symbols are associated with rich African traditions dating back to around the 16th century. The meanings of these symbols are derived from inspirational proverbs, human attitudes and beliefs, concepts related to abstract shapes, cultural meanings as well as other historical events and religious beliefs. They are still widely used to this day to convey a specific message through a wide range of products and crafts including Adinkra cloths, clothing accessories, home décor items, architecture and more.

These beautiful symbols are believed to be traced back to the Gyaaman clans of what is presently the Ivory Coast. At that time, the Adinkra symbols were only used during important ceremonies such as funerals and religious celebrations. They were the exclusive rite of the most important people like spiritual leaders and royalty. Eventually the symbols were adopted by the neighboring Asante people who incorporated their own culture, philosophies and beliefs as they further developed the symbols into what they are today.

Although, the symbols are no longer used as solely an exclusive rite by religious leaders and royalty, they still have significant meanings for the people that use them. They are a major influence in African art to this day, and can be found in wood carvings, traditional mudcloths, furniture and other mediums. Below are a few of my favorite Adinkra symbols along with their meanings. Check out more African Art.

GYE NYAME

"except for God"

symbol of the supremacy of God
This unique and beautiful symbol is ubiquitous in Ghana. It is by far the most popular for use in decoration, a reflection on the deeply religious character of the Ghanaian people.

ADINKRAHENE

"Chief of the adinkra symbols"
symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership
This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in the designing of other symbols. it signifies the importance of playing a leadership role.

HYE WON HYE

"that which does not burn "

symbol of imperishability and endurance
This symbol gets its meaning from traditional priests that were able to walk on fire without burning their feet, an inspiration to others to endure and overcome difficulties.