Ile-Ife
- Ile-Ife was a powerful Yoruba kingdom dated to the 4th century BC. Yorubaland is the cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo, and Benin.
- According to the Yoruba religion Ife was founded by the order of the Supreme God Olodumare to Obatala and then fell into the hands of his brother Oduduwa, which created turmoil between the two. Oduduwa created his own dynasty through his sons and daughters that became different rulers of many kingdoms. The first Oòni of Ife is a descendant of Oduduwa, which was the 401st Orisha.
- Named as the city of 401 deities Ife is home to many worshipers of these deities which also are celebrated through festivals. Along with the culture of Ife, their beliefs extend along the concept of the Ase, which help make art of the Kings and Gods.
- From the 12th to the 15th centuries, Ife flourished as a powerful, cosmopolitan and wealthy city-state in West Africa. The cities were fortresses, with high walls and gates.
- Ife was an influential centre of trade connected to extensive local and long-distance trade networks which enabled the region to prosper.
- Ile-Ife is known for its naturalistic bronze, stone, copper, brass and terracotta sculptures, which reached their peak of artistic expression between 1200 and 1400.
- Bronze and terracotta art created by this civilization are significant examples of naturalism in pre-colonial African art and are distinguished by their variations in regalia, facial marking patterns,and body proportions. Ancient Ife also was famous for its glass beads which have been found at sites as far away as Mali, Mauritania, and Ghana.
- After this period, production declined as political and economic power shifted to the nearby kingdom of Benin.
Ife
Ife was created by Yoruba religion which accordingly was the order of the Supreme God Olodumare to Obatala, eventually falling into the hands of his brother Oduduwa which created turmoil between the two Oduduwa created his own dynasty through his sons and daughters that became different rulers of many kingdoms... Kings and Gods were often depicted with large heads because the artists believed that the Ase was held in the head, the Ase being the inner power and energy of a person. Both historic figures of Ife and the offices associated with them are represented. One of the best documented among this is the early king Obalufon II who is said to have invented bronze casting and is honored in the form of a naturalistic copper life-size mask.
Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from West Africa
Ife ( pronounced ee-feh) is today regarded as the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba people living in Nigeria, the Republic of Benin and their many descendants around the world. It is rightly regarded as the birthplace of some of the highest achievements of African art and culture, combining technical accomplishment with strong aesthetic appeal.
Ife uncovered
Professor John Picton and metallurgist Paul Craddock discuss the meaning and the making of the sculptures in the exhibition Kingdom of Ife sculptures from West Africa. © Trustees of the British Museum. Created by British Museum.
Ife remembered
Godfrey Abeshin, in conversation with curator Hassan Arero, remembers the Ife of his childhood. © Trustees of the British Museum
Olowe of Ise, Veranda Post (Yoruba people)
Olowe of Ise, Veranda Post, before 1938 (Yoruba people, Nigeria), wood, pigment, 180.3 x 28.6 x 35.6 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) Speakers: Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.
Male figure, Ikenga (Igbo Peoples)
Ikenga, Igbo Peoples, Nigeria, wood (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) Speakers: Dr. Peri Klemm and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.
City of Ile Ife | Africa's Great Civilizations
The origin story of Ile Ife lies at the heart of the Yoruba culture. After death, the Onis were worshipped as Gods, and the artworks called Ife Heads were likely used as icons of power. Learn more in Africa's Great Civilizations with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., premiering at 9/8c February 27 on PBS.
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