Unajua ? – Tuaregs did not like touching iron, that is why their swords, called Takoba, have leather, brass or silver handles. Learn more about West African artifacts below!

Most West African artifacts, like takobas, are crafted in a way that can be full of meaning for people throughout history.

West African artifacts are made up of objects that were part of peoples lives in West Africa and then, during colonialism, found themselves in Western museums.

Throughout history, much information about West African artifacts was lost, making the accepted meanings for some artifacts somewhat of a mystery.

This article is about West African artifacts, you will read about the people that made them and the different times and places they come from.

You will also read about the meanings of these West African artifacts.

This article is part of the West African Art series

Taarifa 💡

Taarifa means information in Swahili. In this article this section gives you information about the artifact in the picture above.

West African Artifacts And Their Meaning

Click To Read: What is the African Writers Series?

Benin Bronzes 

#1 West African Artifacts – Benin Masks

Benin Pendant masks were items used in the Benin Kingdom in and around the 16th century.

They may have been worn on the waist or around the neck in religious ceremonies.

Learn about African History in A Short and Brief History of Africa

The Benin Ivory mask of Queen Iyoba is a famous artifact from the Benin Kingdom where ivory meant royal riches, power and purity.

In 1973 the pendant mask was put on the Nigerian one Naira banknotes. It is also known as the FESTAC Mask after it was used as the emblem of the FESTAC 77 festival.

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Edo peoples
Time Period: 16th century
Object: Pendant Mask representing the Queen Mother Iyoba
Medium: Ivory, iron, copper
Place of origin: Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, West Africa
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), USA, North America

Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

#2 West African Artifacts – Benin Bronze Leopards 

In the Benin Kingdom leopards were important because they represented the Oba (king), who also had many live leopards in his courts.

Edo artists often made sculptures of leopards, a number of which date to the 16th to 17th centuries.

Unfortunately much history and meaning about Benin art as a whole was lost during the Benin punitive expedition of 1897.

–> How to identify Benin Broze Heads CLICK HERE <–

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Edo peoples
Time Period: 16-17th century
Object: Leopard figure
Medium: Brass, iron
Place of origin: Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, West Africa
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), USA, North America

Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

#3 West African Artifacts – Sankofa Bird 

The Sankofa is an Adinkra symbol that is often put together with the Akan proverb: “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi”.

English: “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten”

The Sankofa is often used on Akan wooden stools and gold weights, among other artifacts, as a representation of that proverb.

Recently, the Sankofa has become an important symbol of learning from the past in Europe and North America.

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Taarifa 💡

Culture: Akan peoples
Object: Gold weight
Medium: Brass
Place of origin: Ghana, West Africa
Location: Brooklyn Museum, USA, North America

Brooklyn Museum, Creative Commons-BY

#4 West African Artifacts – Asante Stools 

Asante stools, called Asesedwa, are one of the most recognizable artifacts from Ghana.

They have been in Akan culture for over 300 years, ever since the Asante kingdom was founded with the Golden Stool by the Asantehene Osei Tutu I.

For the Asante Kingdom the Golden Stool carried the soul of the Asante nation, and every stool carried the soul of its owner.

Today the Asante stool can have many meanings it could represent chieftancy, or be used in rituals or as furniture.

In 1900 Britain tried to take the Golden Stool; it started the War of the Golden Stool, read about it here.

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Akan peoples
Time Period: c. 20th century
Object: Stool
Medium: Wood
Place of origin: Ghana, West Africa
Location: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, USA, North America

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#5 West African Artifacts – Kanaga Masks

The Kanaga mask is one of over 60 Dogon masks.

It is used by men part of the Awa Society, often for funerals, and represents the Dogon God Amma.

The Kanaga mask is an important symbol of Mali, it was on its flag while it was the colony of French Sudan and the Federation of Mali.

See Dogon architecture in 23 Little-Known Ancient African Houses 

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Dogon peoples
Time Period: c. 20th century
Object: Mask
Medium: painted wood, vegetable fibres, leather
Place of origin: Mali, West Africa
Location: Institut d'ethnologie de Strasbourg, France, Western Europe

Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#6 West African Artifacts – Takoba or Tuareg Swords

Takobas are a type of sword used across the Sahel region by Tuareg, Hausa and Fulani peoples, among others.

They were used for hundred of years, from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century.

Takobas were mostly used in wars by the nobilty; it was also a sign of power in political decisions but they are also used in ceremonies and for sword dances.

Studying these swords teaches us about the history of West Africa but also about the Middle East and Europe and the ancient Trans Saharan trade.

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Tuareg 
Object: Sword
Medium: Iron, leather
Place of origin: Sokoto, Nigeria, West Africa
Location: British Museum, UK, Western Europe

© The Trustees of the British Museum. Shared under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

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#7 West African Artifacts – Agadez Cross

The Agadez cross is one of many Tuareg crosses from Niger. It is a silver pendant that used to be made of stone or copper.

They are worn on the neck or forehead of Tuaregs but also Songhai, Hausa and Peul peoples, among others. Traditionally Agadez crosses are only worn by people in Niger.

According to some the Agadez Cross was used as a declaration of love, it is also used as an amulet.

The Agadez Cross is a major symbol of Tuareg culture.

See traditional Tuareg headwear in African Medieval Clothing

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Nigerien Tuaregs
Time Period: before 1992
Object: Agadez Cross
Medium: Silver alloy
Place of origin: Niger, West Africa
Location: Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, Netherlands, Western Europe

Collectie Wereldmuseum (v/h Tropenmuseum), part of the National Museum of World Cultures, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

#8 West African Artifacts – Nok Sculptures

Nok sculptures are ancient teracotta figures that were found in the southern Kaduna State of Niger. Some are almost life sized human heads and bodies.

The meaning or original use of nok sculptures is unknown since these sculptures could be over 2000 years old! They are the oldest, large artifacts in Africa, after Egyptian Art.

Historians believe that Nok art inspired the Bronze figurines of Ife and the Benin Kingdom.

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Nok peoples
Time Period: c. 500 BC - 500 AD
Object: figure
Medium: Terracota 
Place of origin: southern Kaduna, Nigeria, West Africa
Location: The Louvre, France, Western Europe

Louvre Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

25 Beautiful African Royalty Outfits From The Past

25 Beautiful African Royalty Outfits From The Past

#9 West African Artifacts – Chiwara headresses

The Chiwara is a headress used by the Bambara in dances. It represents an antilope and is used to teach young men about agriculture.

The Chiwara became very fashionable amongst European artists like Pablo Picasso, in something they called Primitive Art.

Bambara peoples, along with all other African peoples part of the Primitive art movements, were not primitive people.

You can learn to identify a chiwara in 3 Popular Types of West African Sculptures

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Bambara peoples
Time Period: 19-20th century
Object: Chiwara 
Medium: Wood, metal
Place of origin: Mali, West Africa
Location: Brooklyn Museum, USA, North America

Brooklyn Museum, Creative Commons-BY

#10 West African Artifacts – Baule Masks

The Moon mask is a type of mask from the Baule peoples of Côte d’Ivoire.

It is a mask used mainly for enterntainment purposes, often used before dances like the Gbagba or Mblo.

Mblo and Gbagba dances still take place today.

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Baule peoples
Time Period: c. 1880
Object: Moon Mask
Medium: Wood
Place of origin: Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa
Location: The Metropolitan (the MET), USA, North America

Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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#11 West African Artifacts – Djenne Terracotta Sculptures

Djenne Terracottas are figures, like the Seated Figure and the Equestrian Figure made by the middle Nigeri civilisation years ago.

 Seated Figure

Many terracotta were found on the UNESCO Djenne-Djenno site, which was the heart of the Mali Empire in the 13-16th century, though people had lived there for more than 1000 years!

The Djenne terracottas are thought to be from between the 13th and 15th centuries.

Inside 9 African Traditional Houses & Structures That You Can Actually Visit | Africa house traditional

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Middle Niger Civilization
Time Period: 13th century
Object: figure
Medium: terracotta
Place of origin: Mali, West Africa
Location: The Metropolitan (the MET), USA, North America

Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Equestrian Figure

It is believed that they were used for religious purposes but it is only a theory.

As more Djenne terracottas are discovered and studied more of the rich history of Mali is uncovered.

15 Types of Clothing in Medieval Africa Every Time Traveller Should Own

Taarifa 💡

Culture: Middle Nigeri civilization
Time Period: 13-15th century
Object: figure
Medium: Terracotta
Place of origin: Djenne-Djenno, Nigeri River Valley, Mali, West Africa
Location: National Museum of African Art, USA, North America

Franko Khoury, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

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What are the most popular types of artifacts in your region?

It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten

~ African (Akan) Proverb ~

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Civilisation

Read More 🙂 

Works of Art – https://africa.si.edu/exhibits/resources/mali/works.htm 

References

Benin Bronzes 

Benin Masks

Wikipedia Contributors. “Benin Ivory Mask.” Wikipedia, 27 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_ivory_mask. 

Benin Bronze Leopards

Wikipedia Contributors. “Art of the Kingdom of Benin.” Wikipedia, 3 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_the_Kingdom_of_Benin. 

Sankofa Bird

“Brooklyn Museum.”- Gold Weight in Form of Sankofa Bird – Brooklynmuseum.org, 2024, www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/57691. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Sankofa.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Oct. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankofa. 

Asante Stool

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “Queen Mother’s Stool.” Digitalindy.org, 2019, www.digitalindy.org/digital/collection/tcm/id/349.

Kanaga Masks

Wikipedia Contributors. “Kanaga Mask.” Wikipedia, 18 Oct. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaga_mask. 

“Masque Kanaga – Institut d’Ethnologie – Université de Strasbourg.” Unistra.fr, 2024, ethnologie.unistra.fr/collection/objets-3d-interactifs/masque-kanaga/. 

Takoba or Tuareg Swords

“Sword | British Museum.” The British Museum, British Museum, 2024, www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1944-06-4-a. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Takoba.” Wikipedia, 25 Feb. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoba. 

Mickov, David. “Takouba Sword: The African Sub-Saharan Knightly Blade.” Swordis, May 2023, swordis.com/blog/takouba-sword/?srsltid=AfmBOoodxENrcSre4663OHENSenySABTNN0NRQnVeMkJ9IhRcis7Uqrv. 

Agadez Cross

Wikipedia Contributors. “Agadez Cross.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 July 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agadez_Cross. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Tuareg People.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuareg_people. 

“File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zilveren Kruis Dient Als Talisman TMnr 5485-4.Jpg – Wikimedia Commons.” Wikimedia.org, 2022, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:COLLECTIE_TROPENMUSEUM_Zilveren_kruis_dient_als_talisman_TMnr_5485-4.jpg. 

Nok Sculptures

Wikipedia Contributors. “Nok Culture.” Wikipedia, 13 Dec. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nok_culture. 

Unknown artist, and Marie-Lan Nguyen. “Nok Sculpture of a Sitted Man-70.1998.11.1label QS:Len,“Nok Sculpture of a Sitted Man-70.1998.11.1.”” Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nok_sculpture_Louvre_70-1998-11-1.jpg 

Chiwara headdresses

Wikipedia Contributors. “Chiwara.” Wikipedia, 8 Dec. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiwara. 

Brooklyn Museum. “Dance Headdress (Ci-Wara Kun).” Www.brooklynmuseum.org, www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4843. 

Baule Masks

“Moon Mask | Baule Peoples.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/643506. 

“File:Moon Mask MET DP-892-001.Jpg – Wikimedia Commons.” Wikimedia.org, 2022, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moon_Mask_MET_DP-892-001.jpg. 

Djenne Terracottas

Seated Figure and Equestrian Figure

Wikipedia Contributors. “Djenné-Djenno.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Aug. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djenn%C3%A9-Djenno. 

“Mali Empire and Djenne Figures: Works of Art.” Si.edu, 2019, africa.si.edu/exhibits/resources/mali/works.htm. 

​​Clarke, Dr. Christa. “Seated Figure (Djenné Peoples) (Article).” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-africa/west-africa/mali1/a/seated-figure-djenn-peoples. 

“Seated Figure.” Metmuseum.org, 2020, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/314362. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Djenné-Djenno.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djenn%C3%A9-Djenno#Terra-cotta_figurines_from_the_Inner_Niger_Delta_region. 

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength – Isaiah 26:4

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