ARMLET

In 14^th Century Benin, people of power wore armlets made of brass or ivory.   Ivory  symbolized royalty, and white was the symbol of purity, so the oba (divine ruler) wore ivory armlets on ceremonial occasions, especially in ceremonies where he danced with the eben sword or handled a gong, because they kept his elaborate coral bead costume from getting tangled.

Visit the African Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at  for more information about the art of Benin!

To make your own armlet, cut two strips of construction paper, approximately 4" wide and 11" long.   Decorate with sequins, glitter, markers, etc.   Tape the ends so the armlet fits around your upper arm.                               

AFRICAN MASK

African masks are used in religious ceremonies and social events.    Some masks combine human and animal features as a way to unite man with nature.   This relationship is very important and throughout history, masks have been used to express this bond.

Click here for easy-to-follow instructions to make your own African mask.   Take a quiz about African masks and learn more about the styles, patterns and materials used in making African masks.

KENTE CLOTH

Kente cloth is a ceremonial cloth.   4" strips are sewn together to make a larger piece of cloth.   It can include many colors and designs, and it is worn during important social and religious events.   The term kente has its roots in the word kenten which means basket.

Materials needed:   Construction paper cut in 4" strips in the following colors:

Red, yellow, pink, blue, green, purple, maroon, grey, silver, gold, black.

Have children weave their own Kente cloth following one of the designs below.   More designs may be found here.

	EMAA DA CREATIVE INGENUITY, INNOVATION, UNIQUENESS, PERFECTION and EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT.
	KYERETWIE COURAGE, VALOR, EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT and INSPIRING LEADERSHIP
	WOFRO DUA PA A NA YEPIA WO ASPIRATION, HOPE, MUTUAL BENEFITS, SHARING and NOBLE DEEDS.

YELLOW in all its variations is associated with the yoke of the egg, ripe and edible fruits and vegetables and also with the mineral gold. In some spiritual purification rituals mashed yarn is rendered yellow with oil palm and served with eggs. It symbolizes sanctity, preciousness, royalty, wealth, spirituality, vitality and fertility.

PINK is associated with the female essence of life. It is viewed as red rendered mild and gentle, and therefore associated with tenderness, calmness, pleasantness, and sweetness. According to Akan social thought, these attributes are generally considered as essential aspects of the female essence.

RED is associated with blood, sacrificial rites and the shedding of blood. Red-eyed mood means a sense of seriousness, readiness for a serious spiritual or political encounter. Red is therefore used as a symbol of heightened spiritual and political mood, sacrifice and struggle.

BLUE is associated with the blue sky, the abode of the Supreme Creator. it is therefore used in a variety of ways to symbolize spiritual sanctity, good fortune, peacefulness, harmony and love related ideas.

GREEN is associated with vegetation, planting, harvesting and herbal medicine. Tender green leaves are usually used to sprinkle water during purification rituals. It symbolizes growth, vitality, fertility, prosperity, fruitfulness, abundant health and spiritual rejuvenation.

PURPLE is viewed in the same way as maroon. It is considered as earth associated with color used in rituals and healing purposes. It is also associated color used in rituals and healing purposes. It is also associated with feminine aspects of life. Purple cloths are mostly worn by females.

MAROON has a close resemblance to red-brown which is associated with the color of Mother Earth. Red-brown is usually obtained from clay and is therefore associated with healing and the power to repel malevolent spirits.

WHITE derives its symbolism from the white part of the egg and from white clay used in spiritual purification, healing, sanctification rites and festive occasions. In some situations it symbolizes contact with ancestral spirits, deities and other unknown spiritual entities such as ghosts. it is used in combination with black, green or yellow to express notion, spirituality, vitality and balance.

GREY derives its symbolism from ash. Ash is used for healing and spiritual cleansing rituals to re-create spiritual balance when spiritual blemish has occurred. It is also used in rituals for protection against malevolent spirits. Grey is therefore associated with spiritual blemish but also with spiritual cleansing.

SILVER is associated with the moon which represents the female essence of life. Silver ornaments are usually worn by women and are used in the context of spiritual purification, naming ceremonies, marriage ceremonies and other community festivals. it symbolizes serenity, purity and joy.

GOLD derives its significance from the commercial value and social prestige associated with the precious mineral. Gold dust and gold nuggets were used as medium of exchange and for making valuable royal ornaments. It symbolizes royalty, wealth, elegance, high status, supreme quality, glory and spiritual purity.

BLACK derives its significance from the notion that new things get darker as they mature; and physical aging comes with spiritual maturity. The Akans blacken most of their ritual objects to increase their spiritual potency. Black symbolizes an intensified spiritual energy, communion with the ancestral spirits, antiquity, spiritual maturity and spiritual potency.