This reveals the true essence and beauty of a magnificent culture and philosophy in which individuals thrive and live in a close-knit harmonious society. .
Also, Art plays an important role in traditional African culture and society. In the Akan of West Africa, the artist's role is a medium between the divine and the human. "Within his ritual space, insulated from everything that might distance him, the artist is free to become tuned to the ideas he wishes to make concrete." The artist selects his material and tools, then recites an incantation, which enables him to act as a medium, thus provoking " the forces that will animate his creation" (Mitchell, 283). Smaller communities developed metal-working technology that developed into fine art. "Fine bronze castings have been recovered from Igbo-Ukwo in the southern Nigerian forest. These have been dated to as early as 900 AD and are believed to be the burial objects of a religious leader or ruler" (Shillington, 89). Traditional African art has an in-depth meaning and invokes one to see and appreciate the values of order and life with a clear and fresh eye sight. Beauty in its self is represented divinely in many African arts.
Commerce played an important and substantial role in the traditional African societies. The Sahel, which is located in West Africa and south of the Sahara Desert, was an important trading route. For instance some of the lands of the Sahel contained iron deposits which " further increased farming and hunting efficiency" (Shillington, 83). Iron spears, swords and other agricultural tools were developed. The iron weapons helped the people of the Sahel protect themselves and the tools helped advance their agricultural methods. Iron objects were valuable and were used in trading, thus helping the people of the Sahel in becoming skilled traders. The kingdom of ancient Ghana was one of the most remarkable African kingdoms.