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Ancient African Cultures

            
             Nok was a West African civilization that flourished from about 500 B. The Nok civilization was centered in the valley where the Niger and Benue rivers meet. The people of ancient Nok produced the oldest sculptures found so far in Africa. Of the sculptures discovered most were of animal and human figures. .
             The Nok sculptures are made of terra cotta, a kind of earthenware. They vary in size from one inch high to life size. All the human heads have pierced ears, and the eyes are hollowed out. Scholars do not know what function these sculptures had in the Nok society. Some believe that the sculpture of other West African peoples shows Nok influence. Today, Nok is the name of a village in Nigeria, about 100 miles northeast of Baro.
             The people of Nok probably farmed the land, but they also hunted and gathered food. They made tools and weapons of stone and at least started to learn to smelt and use iron. They probably wore beaded jewelry, including anklets, bracelets and heavy collars. The Nok people apparently lived in clay huts in the lowlands and hills. Like some Nigerians today, they worshiped their ancestors and had many gods. Little is known about the end of the Nok Culture. It remains a mystery.
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             Aksumite.
             The most significant traces of an early standing civilization are found in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. The Aksumite Kingdom was established there in the first century AD. During the fourth century, it embraced Christianity as its official religion and, at the height of its power, was one of four great kingdoms of the world. The empire held sway over a vast area. Its merchants maintained trade relations with the Greco-Roman world and the Arabian Peninsula as well as with India. The most important remains are the pre-Christian monolithic stelae, some palace ruins and the Tomb of King Kaleb. Stelae were originally erected as funeral monuments and 200 have now been discovered. They all are of different sizes and six.


Essays Related to Ancient African Cultures

1. Africa

West Africa, East Africa, and ancient Zimbabwe are examples that refute this stereotype. The Dark Continent would not be an accurate label for Ancient Africa. ... They had intelligent people that contributed to their culture and structures that resemble to a nowadays-city. ... It is easy to see that they were literate and had a passion for arts, proving they had their own culture. ... These cities in ancient Africa proved that "The Dark Continent" is not an accurate label for Africa. ...

  • Word Count: 492
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Africa Art

Africa contributed largely to one of the world's greatest civilizations that of ancient Egypt and Islamic Art. ... African art has been created for millennia - many of the objects are indeed ancient. ... The ancient Djenné culture on the Niger River in Mali has been dated from about 500 to 1400 AD. ... Ife, Benin and Djenne' made great contributions to Africa art, culture, religion, military and politics. ... Africans have lost some of its tribal identity and culture; masking ceremonies are no longer common place in Africa. ...

  • Word Count: 1298
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. African Art

Kimberly Murray 01134854 African Art The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the African society. ... It is found in many parts of Africa but mainly in western and central Africa. Many ancient rock paintings have been found in Southern and Eastern Africa. ... There are three basic themes of African art. ... Without art, there would be no African culture....

  • Word Count: 421
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Africa before pre-colonization

There are many diverse and distinct cultures in Africa. ... Philosophy plays an important role in traditional African cultures. The Akan culture of West Africa is an interesting and rich culture. ... The kingdom of ancient Ghana was one of the most remarkable African kingdoms. ... The ancient kingdom of Ghana was known for its gold trading market. ...

  • Word Count: 977
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5. Masks Of Africa

Masks of Africa: Since the earliest times masks have played an important role in the culture of Africa. ... The mask has been used by the Africans mainly to solve major human and social problems. ... This type of mask was often associated with secret societies, especially in Africa, which has the greatest variety of masks on Earth. In ancient Egypt priests used masks to represent gods. ... But yet many of the myths and rituals are still followed till this day, as they are a part of the culture of Africa....

  • Word Count: 926
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Africa

Africa is a rich continent that has for centuries provided the world with art, culture, labor, wealth and natural resources. ... Africa is large, complex, and diverse. ... The sheer size is and indication of the continent's great variety in geography, terrain, climate, flora, fauna, peoples, languages and cultures. ... Today, almost all of Africa is ruled by Africans. ... School children were taught under shed trees; trades revived the ancient commercial tradition of trade by barter, and others, including university professors, took up odd jobs to ensure that they survived that difficult ...

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7. Ancient Society

Culture and daily life will also be incorporated One million years ago humans were at their second stage; therefore their anatomy from the neck down was similar to that of present day humans. ... They were also the first to use fire in addition to being the first to leave Africa towards Europe and Asia. ... In Europe the Neanderthals were roaming the continent of Europe and Russia just as the homo-erectus had Africa. ... The ancient Sumerians irrigated, or watered, their crops by using a system of irrigation canals. ... The ancient Sumerians used a stylus to write they wrote on wet clay ...

  • Word Count: 725
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Oral Traditions in African Poetry

Many ancient scholars believed Africa had no history prior to colonialism because there was no documented evidence. ... These Africans could be doing this as an indirect rebellion against western ideas and principles that have sought to ridicule and destroy African culture. ... However, with the rise of cultural nationalisms, Africans began to reject European standards as the ideal and focus on bringing African culture back to the forefront. ... He is saying that African culture can exist side by side with western culture and one doesn't have to diminish the other, which is the direct opp...

  • Word Count: 1278
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. African Art

Through observation and knowledge of African societies, it seems unlikely that Ancient Egypt was the main influence on the cultures of Africa south of the Sahara. It seems more likely that Africa influenced the culture of Ancient Egypt. ... There were many cultures that influenced the history of Africa. The Nok culture originated in a valley in West Africa between the Niger and the Benve Rivers. ... (Headrest collected from southern Africa) Through my research I found it hard to figure out what ancient culture contributed to Ancient Egypt or vice versa, but I was able to find some simil...

  • Word Count: 1765
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

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