Nok Culture

An old ancient culture located in the western part of Africa had paved the way of new founding of art. Around 1000 B.C., this society had flourished and became highly advanced in their culture. Nok was discovered in the central part of what is now known as Nigeria. Around that time, Nok has covered about 50% of Nigeria. Nok was known to be one of the oldest place in Africa that has changed the impact of sculpture art. The cities that were part of the Nok society was the reason of that artistic impact. Significant cities that were part of the Nok culture like Abuja and Yoruba. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and was the center of ancient Nok. Another city that had a major part of Nok was Yoruba. Today some people of Yoruba still perform or wear …show more content…
King Ife life sized sculpture was made out a clay like material and for the finishing touch was flames of the fire. Brass was another substantial item that formed sculpture and is a life size of King Ife. The flames of the fire would cause the clay to harden. If there were any errors to the art; the sculptor could adjust it to the kings liking by adding more clay or the complete opposite. The reason why that was significant for that point of time is that the artwork of the sculpture won’t really be heavy unlike stone artwork. The difference in the Nok era that has clay and bronzes is that it isn’t arduous to cut and form. It forms of sculpture is known as the terracotta. It was named after the location of where thee first terracotta was found in Nigeria. In this day and age, the terracotta would have the head only or just the body. The reason why the artwork would have the head or just the body is because The ones that were someone of hierarchy but females were also sculpted of the terracotta. Female sculptures of the terracotta would most likely have headdress that would cover their hair. For both gender the more layers of rings are their neck indicates prosperity and power. Many people of the Yoruba would have layers of jewelry to show their position in society and the lady of Africa cover their hair with a …show more content…
It was made out of clay that would be placed onto fire that would bake the clay. That will allow the sculpture to harden. In this form of artwork, the sculpture would be in a sitting position but its knee is touching its chin. Another artwork such as Seated Goddess (Turkey) or the Venus of Willendorf (Austria) would be in a sitting position but without the knee touching the elbow. It looks like a male sitting and you would not find that rarely sitting; unless that figure is sitting on a throne. That indicates power. Just live jewelry the rings that were around the figure show the hierarchy in the Nok culture. The females had the hair wrapped up and the males had unique hairstyle that were pinned up. The eyes and lips of the figure was enormous. It was believed that the sculpture looks similar to the Ham people. Other feature that was different is that eyebrows were long and arched