In the valleys of northern Ghana, the remains of a mysterious, vanished culture have been emerging from ancient burial mounds. As in many ancient civilizations in both old and new...
In the valleys of northern Ghana, the remains of a mysterious, vanished culture have been emerging from ancient burial mounds. As in many ancient civilizations in both old and new worlds, the burials are accompanied by terracotta sculptures that reveal much about the people who created them. The bold expressionism and appreciation for the human form that characterizes these works are unique in the canon of African art. This marvelous figure portrays a sitting female with bold facial expression. She stares strait ahead with a sense of determination, and she appears to be dignified and proud. The top of the figure's head shows a hollow indentation, which suggests that perhaps this sculpture served both functional and for artistic purposes. Moreover, the sculptor of this figure incorporated details such as the necklace, bracelets, and loincloth decorated with incision marks to enhance the sculptural quality and the feminine beauty of the figure. Although the figure seems esoteric to us, we certainly appreciate the visual aesthetics and mystery of this wonderful sculpture. As we look into this unique figure, we wonder about this ancient culture and its fascinating world of art.