The ornament is one of the first manifestations of the creativity of ancient peoples. In curls, dashes, circles, cross lines, a man tried to reflect the reality surrounding him. Often, mysterious and magical meanings were assigned to patterns.
The use of ornaments
The tradition of using ornaments in many countries of Africa continues to this day. In each of the patterns, the wisdom of the ancestors accumulated over the centuries, worldview and faith is displayed. African ornaments and patterns were not created just like that, they put special meaning into them.
Depending on the meaning of the patterns were used for various rituals and ceremonies. They could be applied to household items and jewelry, to things that went to the grave with the deceased, to objects that were used for rituals, to weapons.
Often, an African ornament was applied to clothing. In West Africa, a special technique was invented for this. The ornament was scratched on wax, which was previously applied to the fabric. Then the fabric was boiled in boiling paint. The wax melted under the influence of temperature, but the pattern was imprinted on the fabric. Another way was to apply the ornament with wooden dies, which were wetted with paint.
Another material for applying patterns is leather. To defend themselves against enemies or to triumph on the hunt, Africans paint themselves with symbols. Some are applied for certain occasions and ceremonies, others can be worn constantly.
Style features
Like other patterns in the world, the African ornament reflects the reality of the people. The bright sun, exotic animals, of course, have found their embodiment in folk art. African patterns are distinguished by contrasting color combinations, an amazing combination and transformation of all kinds of geometric shapes. The use of cold colors and shades for Africans is not typical.
African ornament is usually proportional. The patterns contain many elements, and the drawings are made in the manner of primitivism. Small elements are not drawn in them, the image is more likely schematic than accurate. Ethiopian people often use geometric shapes to decorate their houses; stripes are a hallmark of Benintsev. Floral patterns are often found among the inhabitants of Côte d'Ivoire.
Symbolism
Color played an important role. In red, some tribes put the value of strength and health, while in other tribes it was a mourning color. The African white ornament meant a connection with ancestors and gods. In some tribes, boys could only wear yellow after a certain age.
Often the word was embedded in the meaning of the pattern, and sometimes a whole phrase or proverb. In African ornaments you can see rhombuses, circles, spirals. Among the symbol may be the image of a crocodile, which means adaptability to various conditions, and, for example, the palm of the Ashanti tribe means wealth and independence. Images of crossed swords and a sharp horn were used as military symbols.