Spiritual Powers and Their Essence in African Art - Essay Example

In the political arena, art relays the then famed leaders like Yoruba leader Ariwajoye surrounded by spiritual ancestral aiders as well as relaying how gender roles complemented each other. The latter is evident in the Dago sculpture showing a seated couple in a way to depict unity and posture the fabric of African family structure. In addition, African art brings out the essence of its people’s consciousness of spiritual powers and their essence in the central life of its people. One of the works relaying this aspect encompasses minkisi (for ritualistic purposes), which emanates from Central Africa. Minkisi are mainly ritualistic containers used then to invoke spiritual mediation known to influence human existence. Another ritualistic art is the now though its representation is more of an invisible agent in the society thus emphasizing the African notion of believing in spirits. This is similar to the Nigerian ideal Mask commonly used in funerals whereby its core role encompassed invoking the deceased person’s spirit such that his or her state easily can transition to that of neither world nature. This is a spiritual agency, which constitutes the African art though expressed or depicted in varied forms like sculpture, consumes, masks, music, or through dancing.