6.1 West African Kingdoms

Benin

The Kingdom of Benin (Nigeria) cast superb brass plaques and heads using the lost-wax method, commemorating the Oba (king) and court history on the palace walls.

Ife

Earlier Ife artists made remarkably naturalistic brass and terracotta heads — a high point of African portrait sculpture.

Djenné

The Great Mosque of Djenné (Mali) is the world's largest adobe (mud-brick) building, replastered each year by the community — a masterpiece of Sahelian architecture.

Key terms

Kingdom of Benin

Nigerian kingdom; brass plaques and heads

Lost-wax casting

method for the Benin/Ife brasses

Oba

the king of Benin, honored in the plaques

Ife heads

remarkably naturalistic brass/terracotta portraits

Great Mosque of Djenné

largest adobe building, Mali

Try an AP-style question

Benin bronze plaques decorated…

1. the royal palace
2. public markets
3. European churches
4. farm homes