CHAPTER FOURTEENARTS OF AFRICA TO THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY
Multiple Choice
1. The full, delicate lips and expressive eyes of Crowned Head of a Yoruba Ruler from Ife (Fig. 14-1) connect human anatomy with
A. the oba.
B. scarification.
C. the oni.
D. the toron.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
2. As seen in rock art from around 8000 BCE to 2000 BCE, evidence of the geological changes in the Saharan region of Africa is found in vivid images of
A. figures dancing.
B. primitive masks.
C. handprints.
D. wildlife.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of pre-1600 African art.
Topic: Prehistoric Arts
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. The technical skills of the Nok culture are demonstrated by their use of
A. bronze.
B. terra cotta.
C. glass.
D. ivory.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. What characteristic feature appears in Nok sculptures of human figures and animals?
A. scarification
B. triangular D-shaped eyes
C. brightly painted costumes
D. eyes inlaid with glass and shell
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
5. Which of the following is characteristic of the unique style of Igbo-Ukwu?
A. idealized proportions
B. multiple registers
C. circular compositions
D. naturalistic forms
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. What caused the damage to the pyramids at Meroë (Fig. 14-6)?
A. dynamite
B. sand storms
C. climate change
D. fire
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Ancient Nubia (Sudan)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. What cultural influence is apparent in Ethiopian manuscripts?
A. Nigerian
B. Portuguese
C. Byzantine
D. Egyptian
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Ethiopia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. What do the birds represent in Eusebius’s Letter to Carpianus (Fig. 14-8)?
A. the canonical hours
B. the Garden of Eden
C. the Holy Spirit
D. the canon tables
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Ethiopia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. Why is the art of Benin considered “royal arts”?
A. All artistic subject matter was related to the oba, his family, and court life.
B. The oba commissioned works in brass and ivory.
C. Only members of the most elite class could become artists.
D. The lost-wax casting process was used to decorate thrones.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 14.e Interpret a work of pre-1600 African art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
10. Which of the following features is a characteristic of West African mosques?
A. strong, local, and quarried stone
B. battered walls that slope inward toward the top
C. projecting wooden beams called torons
D. square or circular plans
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of pre-1600 African art.
Topic: Mali
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
11. After the fall of the Roman Empire, what was the amphitheater at El Jem used for?
A. storeroom
B. monastery
C. church
D. fortress
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Tunisia
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
12. In the thirteenth century, the numerous rock-cut sanctuaries at Lalibela in Ethiopia is evidence of the popularity of
A. Buddhism.
B. Hinduism.
C. Judaism.
D. Christianity.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Ethiopia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
13. What was the function of textiles in Kongo culture?
A. They were signs of protection.
B. They were used in marriage rituals.
C. They were exchanged as currency.
D. They were used as offerings.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
14. What suggests that Horseman (Fig. 14-12) represents a guardian figure or an ancestor?
A. the ornate bridle
B. the oval head
C. the jutting chin
D. the smoothed limbs
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.e Interpret a work of pre-1600 African art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Mali
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
15. Which objects were created specifically for trade with the Portuguese?
A. textiles from Kongo
B. brass plaques from Benin
C. ivory horns from Sierra Leone
D. gold figurines from South Africa
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: International Art Trade, West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
16. What elements of the Kongolese Crucifix (Fig. 14-20) are more in keeping with an African aesthetic than European traditions?
A. the features of Christ
B. the presence of Mary
C. the size of the crucifix
D. the medium of the crucifix
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of pre-1600 African art.
Topic: Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
17. The exterior walls at the Great Enclosure of Zimbabwe are topped with designs of
A. chevrons.
B. roses.
C. arches.
D. volutes.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Zimbabwe
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
18. Before the seventeenth century, why was southern Africa such an important trading hub for Europeans?
A. It provided Europeans with raw goods, such as wood and rubber.
B. It produced luxury goods prized by the European elite.
C. It provided Europeans with much-needed spices.
D. It was about halfway between Europe and Asia.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of pre-1600 African art.
Topic: International Art Trade, Southern Africa
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
19. When Koi Konboro, the 26th king of Djenné, converted to Islam, what did he transform into a mosque?
A. the city’s ceremonial complex
B. his palace
C. a block of volcanic tuff
D. a marketplace
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 14.e Interpret a work of pre-1600 African art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Mali
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
20. Which culture used structures that were meant to protect the inhabitants against extreme weather conditions?
A. Nok
B. Kongo
C. Bantu
D. Mousgoum
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 14.e Interpret a work of pre-1600 African art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Cameroon
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
21. The earliest images of Saharan rock art are thought to date from at least
A. 40,000 BCE.
B. 10,000 BCE.
C. 25,000 BCE.
D. 60,000 BCE.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Prehistoric Arts
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
22. In what city did elite men and women live in a separate part of the city from the general population?
A. Mapungubwe
B. Great Zimbabwe
C. Aksum
D. Benin
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: South Africa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
23. The extraordinary artisans of the Yoruba peoples modeled flesh with what thin, parallel patterns?
A. acidification
B. scarification
C. rectification
D. justification
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
24. Old Djenné excavations have led to the discovery of hundred of polished, low-fire terra-cotta figures. In what country can Old Djenné be found?
A. Mali
B. Zimbabwe
C. Nigeria
D. Kongo
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Mali
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
25. What is the term for horns exported to Europe and created by carvers from Sierra Leone (Sapi in Portuguese)?
A. bullhorns
B. vuvuzelas
C. oliphants
D. trumpets
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: International Art Trade, West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Short Answer
1. What are three concepts that are of great importance to the study of African history, and why? Answer: Many works of art are created to honor, harness, or communicate with spiritual forces. Large-scale architecture was created to show wealth and power. Group identity and unity were more important than individual distinction.
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Concepts
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
2. Discuss the Nubian relationship with Egypt.
Answer: Egypt and Nubia had much contact through trade and war. Nubian rulers conquered Egypt for brief periods and exchanged ideas and artistic traditions.
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Ancient Nubia (Sudan)
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. How and when was Islam introduced into Africa?
Answer: Trade along the Silk Road brought Islam to North Africa after the seventh century.
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Tunisia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. What are specific characteristics of Nok sculpture as seen in Head (Fig. 14-13)?
Answer: The heads could have been originally attached to complete bodies. They have D-shaped eyes, holes in the pupils, and nostrils and mouth on an oval face.
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
5. What is the lost-wax casting technique?
Answer: A clay core is made. The original image is made in wax around the core and covered with clay. It is then fired and the wax melts out. A hollow space can then be filled with liquid metal and cooled.
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. How did Benin rise, fall, and then rise again?
Answer: A powerful kingdom rose under the oba around 900, but war eventually broke out with the neighboring Igala. Idia helped negotiate the end of the war, and the civilization flourished again.
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
7. What is the extensive iconography of the Hip Pendant of the Iyoba Idia (Fig. 14-16)?
Answer: Symbols of Portuguese influence can be seen in the collar, headdress, and mudfish, showing power and strength.
Learning Objective: 14.b Interpret the meaning of works of pre-1600 cultures in Africa based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Nigeria
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
8. What were some of the most popular imports to Africa?
Answer: Fabrics, tableware, tools, porcelain, and guns were the most popular imports.
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: International Art Trade, West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. What were the greatest exports of southern African societies?
Answer: Raw materials, such as diamonds and minerals, but people were the most popular export.
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: International Art Trade, Southern Africa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
10. Discuss the bead trade in West and Central Africa.
Answer: Beads were made in Venice, Bohemia, and the Netherlands and became so extensive that cards were pre-made.
Learning Objective: 14.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to pre-1600 African art, artists, and art history.
Topic: International Art Trade, West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay
1. Rock art is found throughout the African continent. Discuss the scenes depicted on the examples of African rock art.
Answer:
1. Herd animals, hunters, and groups of humans were found in the “Apollo 11” cave.
2. A species of large-bodied antelope with leaping humans can be seen at Drakensberg range.
3. In Libya and Algeria dancing men and women performing various ceremonial activities has been depicted on rock walls.
4. The scenes from prehistoric Africa can be compared in content, iconography, and style to that of Paleolithic painting from Europe.
Learning Objective: 14.a Identify the visual hallmarks of the art of pre-1600 cultures in Africa for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Prehistoric Arts
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. Discuss how trade with other cultures impacted the art of West and Central Africa.
Answer:
1. Rulers in Mali began constructing mosques in major urban centers.
2. Mosques were constructed with local materials that often incorporated columns, finials, and capitals.
3. Christian iconography and Kongo narratives and compositions were combined into single art objects.
4. The Portuguese had a large influence on works produced in Nigeria, Angola, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. Focusing on the civilizations discussed in this chapter, explain how sub-Saharan art demonstrates an integral connection between a culture’s rulers and religious beliefs.
Answer:
1. Heads and figurines express a connection between religion and power.
2. In the Edo kingdom, the oba, or king, created bronze plaques that incorporated royal representations along with deities.
3. Kongo textiles were symbols of power and status. They included a diamond shape that signifies the four cardinal directions, four stages of life, the four times of the day.
4. Christianity and cosmogram symbols were used to emphasize the power of rulers.
Learning Objective: 14.c Relate art and artists in pre-1600 Africa to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: West and Central Africa
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. How did the Roman and Byzantine worlds influence African art?
Answer:
1. Rome conquered North Africa and built large amphitheaters, such as at El Jem.
2. Rome was on the western end of the Silk Road, which facilitated the transport of goods and ideas, such as Islam, to Africa.
3. As the ancient Roman Empire fell, the Byzantine Empire rose and ruled Roman territories, giving rise to Christianity on the continent.
4. Writing, manuscripts, and their Christian iconography became prevalent in Ethiopia.
Learning Objective: 14.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of pre-1600 African art.
Topic: North and East Africa
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
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