Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 1
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Art History and Appreciation
Previous Lesson: .
Topic: African Art History
Subject Matter: Meaning of African art history (study of African artistic traditions and artworks), major art works of Cameroon (Bamileke, Bamun), Dahomey (Fon), Upper Volta (Mossi, Bobo), Liberia (Dan Ngere), Mali (Dogon)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define African art history.
Identify major African artworks and their geographical locations.
List key features of selected artworks.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the rich cultural heritage embedded in African art.
Develop an interest in exploring diverse African artistic traditions.

Psychomotor Domain:

Sketch basic forms or patterns representative of selected African artworks.
Locate the regions associated with specific art forms on a map of Africa.

Discuss the societal roles and functions of African art within its cultural context.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Cultural and Creative Arts for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 2

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Map of Africa showing art centres
Photographs or images of African artworks
Slides and projector (if available)
Actual artwork examples (if possible)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils to understand the diverse artistic heritage of Africa. It enables them to appreciate the cultural significance and historical context of various art forms across different African regions, connecting art to identity and societal roles.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of art forms and may have encountered some images or stories related to African cultures.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

African Art History

Meaning of African Art History

African art history is the study of the artistic traditions, styles, and functions of artworks created by various African cultures over time. It encompasses a wide range of forms, including sculptures, masks, textiles, pottery, architecture, and body adornment, often deeply intertwined with spiritual beliefs, social structures, and daily life.

Major Artworks and Their Locations

The following are major artworks and their associated regions in West Africa:

Cameroon:
- Bamileke: Known for elaborate masks, ancestor figures, and prestige objects such as stools and pipes, often richly covered in beads and cowries.
- Bamun: Famous for intricate bronze sculptures, royal regalia, and ceremonial masks, demonstrating sophisticated metalworking techniques.
Dahomey (now Benin Republic):
- Fon: Renowned for appliqué textiles depicting historical events and royal symbols, royal sculptures (often representing kings), and vodun art used in religious practices.
Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso):
- Mossi: Recognized for distinctive wooden masks, often with tall vertical planks and geometric patterns, used in agricultural rites, funerals, and initiation ceremonies.
- Bobo: Known for their large, colourful masks representing bush spirits and animals, used in purification rituals and to maintain social order.
Liberia:
- Dan Ngere (Dan, We, Krahn): Famous for finely carved, polished wooden masks (Dan) with serene features, and more abstract, aggressive masks (Ngere/We), used for social control, spiritual mediation, and initiation.
Mali:
- Dogon: Celebrated for their distinctive wooden masks (e.g., Kanaga mask), ancestor figures, granary doors, and unique cliff-dwelling architecture, all deeply connected to their complex cosmology and mythology.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention any art forms or artworks they know, especially those from Africa.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning various art forms and artworks.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge and are introduced to the topic.

Step 2: Meaning of African Art History

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of African art history as the study of artistic traditions and artworks across Africa, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarity, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and scope of African art history.

Step 3: Artworks of Cameroon and Dahomey

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a map and visual aids to present major artworks from Cameroon (Bamileke, Bamun) and Dahomey (Fon), highlighting their features and locations.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the visuals, identify the artworks, and note their regions and characteristics.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and recognize artworks from Cameroon and Dahomey.

Step 4: Artworks of Upper Volta and Liberia

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues by presenting artworks from Upper Volta (Mossi, Bobo) and Liberia (Dan Ngere), explaining their unique features and cultural contexts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pay attention to the presentations, identify the artworks, and record important details.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and recognize artworks from Upper Volta and Liberia.

Step 5: Artworks of Mali

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher showcases artworks from Mali, focusing on the Dogon people and their distinctive masks and sculptures.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the images, identify the Dogon artworks, and note their characteristics.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and recognize artworks from Mali.

Step 6: Discussion on Features and Functions

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion where pupils describe the common features and functions of some of the artworks discussed, such as their use in ceremonies or as symbols of power.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion by describing features and discussing functions of the artworks.
Learning Point: Pupils deepen their understanding of the characteristics and roles of African art.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is African art history?
Mention two major art groups from Cameroon and one of their art forms.
Name an art group from Mali and describe one of their notable artworks.
State one cultural significance of African art discussed today.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the diversity and cultural richness of African art, and assigns homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the assigned homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

African Art History – The study of the artistic traditions, styles, and functions of artworks from various African cultures.
Bamileke – An ethnic group in Cameroon known for elaborate beaded masks and prestige objects.
Bamun – An ethnic group in Cameroon famous for intricate bronze sculptures and royal regalia.
Fon – An ethnic group in Dahomey (Benin Republic) known for appliqué textiles and royal sculptures.
Mossi – An ethnic group in Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) recognized for wooden masks with tall vertical planks.
Bobo – An ethnic group in Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) known for large, colourful masks representing spirits.
Dan Ngere – Art groups (Dan, We, Krahn) from Liberia known for finely carved and abstract wooden masks.
Dogon – An ethnic group in Mali celebrated for distinctive wooden masks, ancestor figures, and unique architecture.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research and present on other African art forms not covered in class. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes and focus on identifying locations and one key artwork per region, offering additional visual examples.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have adequate visual aids, such as high-quality images or actual examples of African artworks, to make the lesson engaging and impactful. Encourage pupils to discuss the aesthetic qualities and cultural functions of the art pieces. Emphasize that African art is not static but evolves with time and context.