TERM 1
Conical tower and circular wall of Great
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe.1000-1400 CE
DEFINITION 1
constructed from granite blocks gath ered from the exposed
rock of the surrounding hills
each layer is slightly more recessed t han the last to produce a
stabilizing inward slope
thought to have been a symbolic sho w of authority, designed
to preserve the privacy of royal famili es and set them apart
from and above commoners.
TERM 2
Great Mosque of Djenne Mali. 1200 CE (1907)
DEFINITION 2
the largest mud- brick building in the world
melts away after each rainy season, requiring the
reconstruction and re-slathering of m ud by local Mali people
the Crepissage de la Grand Mosquee festival is a competition in
which locals use water and mud to re pair the outside of the
mosque. The men take up the task of mixing the materials
while the women fetch the water fr om nearby Bani rivers
TERM 3
Wall Plaque from Oba's palace Nigeria. 16th
centrury
DEFINITION 3
brass plaque depicting an Oba and his attendants from the
Benin Empire.
figures around him range in size based on their level of
importance within the court (heirac tic scale)
originally hung alongside many others on posts throughout the
palace
the order of their placement on the se posts would have told
the history of the royal lineage of Ben in's Obas
TERM 4
Sika dwa kofi (golden stool) South Central
Ghana. 1700 CE
DEFINITION 4
a wooden stool covered in gold made from the heavens that
fell into the lap of Osei Tutu
the use of gold symbolizes the royalty and wealth of the
Asante culture
always given its own chair to be place d next to the
Asanteheenee during ceremonies
was hidden from the British when the y invaded Ghana in
search for the sacred stool
TERM 5
Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe
miShyaang maMbul D.R of Congo. 1760-1780
CE
DEFINITION 5
Mishe miShyaang maMbul recorded h is reign for postererity
and solidified his accomplishmenst am ongst the pantheon of
his predecessors
Ndop is a genre of figurative wood scu lpture that portrays
important kuba leaders
the expression on the face and posit ion of the body were
meant to faithfully represent the ide al of a king
