Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Art History and Appreciation
Previous Lesson: African Art History: Major Art Works and Art Centres.
Topic: AFRICAN ART HISTORY MAJOR ART WORKS
Subject Matter: Major art works of Sierra Leone (Mande Bamun), Dahomey (Fon), Upper Volta (Mossi, Bobo), Liberia (Dan Ngere), Mali (Dogon), Congo (Baluba), Gabon (Fang, Bakwere), Ghana (Ashanti, Bance)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify and name major art works from different West African regions.
Describe the unique artistic styles and characteristics of these artworks.
List the ethnic groups associated with specific art forms.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of African art.
Value the aesthetic qualities and historical significance of traditional African art works.

Psychomotor Domain:

Visually differentiate between art works from various West African ethnic groups.
Sketch simple representations of some discussed art forms.

Discuss the functions and contexts of major African art works within their societies.
Collaborate in identifying and presenting information about different art regions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Ojo, A. (2018). Visual Arts for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press PLC.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Map of Africa showing art centres
Photographs or images of major African art works
Slides and projectors (if available)
Actual art work pieces or replicas (if available)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson enables pupils to understand the diverse artistic traditions across various West African regions. It helps them recognize and appreciate the unique styles, forms, and cultural significance of major African art works, connecting art to history and societal values.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have some basic knowledge of African history and general concepts of art forms from earlier lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

AFRICAN ART HISTORY: MAJOR ART WORKS

Introduction to West African Art

West Africa is rich in diverse artistic traditions, with each ethnic group developing unique styles, forms, and functions for their art. These artworks often served ritual, social, and political purposes.

Major Art Works and Their Regions/Ethnic Groups

Sierra Leone (Mande Bamun)
- Prominent Art Form: Sowei (Bundu) Helmet Masks.
- Characteristics: These masks are worn by women in the Sande society for initiation rites. They typically feature elaborate hairstyles, serene facial expressions, and often a shiny black patina. They symbolize female power, beauty, and fertility.
Dahomey (Fon)
- Prominent Art Forms: Appliqué cloths, metal sculptures, Gelede masks.
- Characteristics: Fon art is known for its vibrant appliqué cloths depicting historical events and deities. Metal sculptures often represent kings and ancestral figures. Gelede masks are used in ceremonies to honor mothers and female power.
Upper Volta (Mossi, Bobo)
- Prominent Art Forms: Mossi masks, Bobo masks.
- Characteristics: Mossi masks often feature tall, plank-like forms or stylized animal heads (e.g., antelopes, birds) with geometric patterns. Bobo masks are characterized by large, often circular or plank-like forms adorned with geometric patterns, natural pigments, and sometimes fiber attachments. They are used in agricultural rituals.
Liberia (Dan Ngere)
- Prominent Art Forms: Dan masks, Ngere masks.
- Characteristics: Dan masks often represent idealized beauty with finely carved features, narrow eyes, and smooth surfaces, used for social control and entertainment. Ngere masks (often called Wee or Kran) are more aggressive and grotesque, featuring tubular eyes, exaggerated mouths, and often decorated with metal, fur, or bells, used for war and justice.
Mali (Dogon)
- Prominent Art Forms: Tellem figures, Dogon masks, granary doors.
- Characteristics: Dogon art includes elongated wooden figures (often associated with the Tellem people who preceded them), various masks (e.g., Kanaga, Satimbe) used in Dama funeral ceremonies, and intricately carved wooden doors for granaries depicting cosmological themes.
Congo (Baluba)
- Prominent Art Forms: Luba stools, headrests, figures.
- Characteristics: Luba art is known for its elegant, often female figures carved into ceremonial stools, headrests, and power objects. These figures typically have elaborate hairstyles, scarification patterns, and represent ancestral spirits or culture heroes.
Gabon (Fang, Bakwere)
- Prominent Art Forms: Fang reliquary figures (Bieri), Bakwere masks.
- Characteristics: Fang Bieri figures are guardian figures placed atop bark boxes containing ancestral relics. They are characterized by their serene, often youthful expressions, prominent foreheads, and balanced forms. Bakwere masks are typically white-faced, often representing spirits or ancestors.
Ghana (Ashanti, Bance)
- Prominent Art Forms: Ashanti gold weights (Akan gold weights), Kente cloth, Akua’ba dolls.
- Characteristics: Ashanti art is famous for its intricate gold weights used for measuring gold dust, Kente cloth with its vibrant geometric patterns woven by hand, and Akua’ba dolls (fertility dolls) with their distinct flat, disc-shaped heads.

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 name any African art work they know or have seen. The teacher then introduces the topic: “African Art History: Major Art Works.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge and are prepared for the lesson.

Step 2: West African Art – Sierra Leone and Liberia

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a map to locate Sierra Leone and Liberia. The teacher then explains the major art works and characteristics of the Mande Bamun of Sierra Leone (Sowei masks) and the Dan Ngere of Liberia (Dan and Ngere masks), showing relevant images.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map and images, listen to the explanations, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify art works from Sierra Leone and Liberia and understand their characteristics.

Step 3: West African Art – Mali and Upper Volta

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher points out Mali and Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) on the map. The teacher explains the major art works of the Dogon of Mali (Tellem figures, masks) and the Mossi and Bobo of Upper Volta (Mossi and Bobo masks), illustrating with images.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils locate the regions, observe the images, and note the distinct art forms.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the artistic contributions of Mali and Upper Volta.

Step 4: West African Art – Dahomey and Ghana

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher identifies Dahomey (Benin) and Ghana on the map. The teacher discusses the art works of the Fon of Dahomey (appliqué cloths, metal sculptures) and the Ashanti of Ghana (gold weights, Kente cloth, Akua’ba dolls), engaging pupils in discussion about their uses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the regions, participate in the discussion, and record key information.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the art and cultural significance from Dahomey and Ghana.

Step 5: Central African Art – Congo and Gabon

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher locates Congo and Gabon on the map. The teacher explains the art forms of the Baluba of Congo (stools, figures) and the Fang and Bakwere of Gabon (reliquary figures, masks), showing visual examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map and images, listen to the explanations, and compare styles.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about major art works from Congo and Gabon.

Step 6: General Characteristics and Functions

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Synthesis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a brief discussion on common characteristics and functions of these African art works, such as their connection to rituals, leadership, and ancestral veneration, and the use of materials like wood, metal, and textiles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and synthesize the information about general features.
Learning Point: Pupils identify overarching themes and purposes in 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:

Name two major art works from Sierra Leone and their characteristics.
Identify the ethnic group known for Akua’ba dolls and Kente cloth.
Describe the difference between Dan and Ngere masks from Liberia.
Mention two art forms associated with the Fon people of Dahomey.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Consolidation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizing the importance of preserving African artistic heritage. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to research another major African art work not discussed in class.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to explore further.

Lesson Keywords

Sowei Mask – A helmet mask worn by women of the Sande society in Sierra Leone.
Gelede Mask – A mask used by the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) to honor mothers and female power.
Dan Mask – An idealized, beautiful mask from Liberia, often used for social control.
Ngere Mask – An aggressive, grotesque mask from Liberia, used for war and justice.
Tellem Figures – Ancient elongated wooden figures associated with the Dogon people of Mali.
Bieri Figures – Guardian reliquary figures of the Fang people in Gabon, placed over ancestral remains.
Akua’ba Doll – A fertility doll with a distinct flat, disc-shaped head from the Ashanti people of Ghana.
Kente Cloth – A vibrant, hand-woven ceremonial cloth from the Ashanti people of Ghana.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can assign additional research on the symbolic meanings of specific art motifs. For those needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified handouts with key images and labels, or pair them with stronger pupils for collaborative learning.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to bring images or information about African art they find at home or online. Emphasize the cultural context and original functions of the artworks to help pupils understand their significance beyond aesthetics. Ensure visual aids are clear and representative of the discussed art forms.