The Beauty and Magic Behind African Culture非洲文化背后的美與魅

薩拉·約翰遜/文　王冰/譯

Africa is known for its vast natural resources and beautiful landscapes， but it is also home to a rich culture of art.

非洲以其大量的自然資源和美麗景色聞名，但它也是豐富的藝術文化的發祥地。

Traditionally， healing， pleasure， protection， and transformation have all been central themes in the work of African artists. The British Royal Militarys 1897 seizure of an ivory carving and a bronze shell was the first significant piece of African art to have a lasting impact on Europe.

傳統上，療愈、愉悅、保護和轉變都是非洲藝術家作品的中心主題。英國皇家軍隊1897年掠取的象牙雕刻品和銅牌匾是首次對歐洲產生持久影響的重要非洲藝術品。

African art is a vast and varied category that encompasses traditional masks， sculptures， textiles， and beadwork from across the African continent. While there is no one definition of African art， there are some common themes that run throughout this genre.

非洲藝術是一個龐大豐富的類別，包括非洲大陸各地的傳統面具、雕塑、紡織品和珠飾。雖然非洲藝術沒有一個確定的定義，但這類藝術有一些共通的主題。

The different styles of African art

非洲藝術的不同風格

One of the most distinguishing features of African art is its use of color. Bright colors are often used to express the vitality and joy of life， while dark colors can convey sadness or anger. Texture is also an important element of African art， with artists often using intricate patterns and designs to create a sense of movement and dynamism.

非洲藝術最顯著的特征之一是其對色彩的運用。明亮的色彩常被用于表現生命的活力和喜悅，而深色則可以傳達悲傷或憤怒。紋理結構也是非洲藝術的重要元素，藝術家經常使用復雜的圖案和設計來創造動感與活力。

African artists use symbols to communicate meaning

非洲藝術家使用符號來傳達意義

Many African artists use symbols to communicate meaning. For example， the Sankofa symbol represents the importance of learning from the past in order to build a better future. The Adinkra symbols of Ghana represent concepts or aphorisms. These symbols are often carved into stoneware pottery or printed on cloth. Adinkra symbols are used in cloth and bead work to represent concepts， beliefs， or values that the wearer wishes to express. Each symbol has a specific meaning that is understood by the people of Ghana.

許多非洲藝術家使用符號來傳達意義。例如，圣伽法（Sankofa）符號代表向過去學習以建設更美好未來的重要性。加納的阿丁克拉（Adinkra）符號則代表概念或格言。這些符號常被雕刻在粗陶器上或印在布料上。阿丁克拉符號被用于布料和珠飾，以代表穿戴者希望表達的概念、信仰或價值。每個符號都有為加納人民所理解的特定含義。

African art & West African pop art

非洲藝術與西非通俗藝術

One of the most popular genres of African art is West African pop art， which emerged in the 1960s as a way for artists to comment on social issues such as colonialism and war. For example， Nigerian artist Victor Uwaifo created “Akanji Alhaji”， a portrait of an elderly man made out of oranges that playfully comments on the relationship between African artifacts and Western culture.

非洲最受歡迎的藝術流派之一是西非通俗藝術，出現于20世紀60年代，是藝術家對殖民主義和戰爭等社會議題發表評論的一種方式。例如，尼日利亞藝術家維克多·烏維福創作了《阿坎吉·阿爾哈吉》，這是一幅用橙子制作的老人肖像，戲謔地評論了非洲工藝品與西方文化之間的關系。

African art & music

非洲藝術與音樂

African artists often incorporate instruments into their work. In fact， music represents the importance of creativity and expression within African cultures. For example， many traditional masks from Mali include musical horns called “jeli”. These instruments are said to represent the human voice and therefore call upon ancestral spirits for protection during rituals. The Senufo people in Burkina Faso use drums that form part of a larger artwork. Each drum tells a story through symbols that express themes such as marriage or procreation， while also being used in ritual contexts during religious ceremonies.

非洲藝術家常常將樂器融入他們的作品中。事實上，音樂代表著非洲文化中創造力和表達的重要性。例如，馬里的許多傳統面具上都含有一種被稱為“日里”（jeli）的音樂號角。據說這些樂器代表著人類的聲音，因此可以在儀式中求得祖先的靈魂保佑。布基納法索的塞努福人用鼓來構成大型藝術作品中的一部分。每面鼓用表達婚姻或生育等主題的符號講述一個故事，也被用于宗教典禮中舉辦儀式的場合。

In modern days， traditional African instruments have been adapted for use by Western musicians， making their way into genres such as jazz and rock. For example， the talking drum used in West African music is featured prominently on Paul Simons album Graceland.

在現代，非洲傳統樂器被西方音樂家改造使用，進入爵士和搖滾等音樂流派。例如，西非音樂中使用的訊息鼓是保羅·西蒙的專輯《恩賜之地》的顯著特色。

Characteristics of art from Africa

非洲藝術的特色

· Formal innovation—the African artists concern with newness and creative thinking.

· 形式創新——非洲藝術家對新穎性和創造性思維的關注。

· Visual abstract concept and conventionalization.

· 視覺化的抽象概念和傳統運用。

· A graphical mixture of steady rhythm and asymmetry.

· 穩定節奏和非對稱性在繪畫中的混合。

· The prerogatives of sculpture; the conversion and ornament of the human.

· 雕塑的特權地位；人的轉變和裝飾。

· A presence of multiple interpretations.

· 多重解讀的存在。

Vibrancy and expressiveness

活力和表現力

One of the main characteristics of African art is its vibrancy. This is evident in the use of bright colors and patterns in African textiles， masks， and sculptures. Another characteristic is the expressiveness of African art. This is often conveyed through the facial features of masks and the body language of sculptures.

非洲藝術的主要特征之一是其活力。這一點明顯體現于非洲紡織品、面具和雕塑對鮮明色彩及圖案的使用中。非洲藝術的另一個特征是其表現力。這常常通過面具的面部特征和雕塑的肢體語言來傳達。

Little distinction between art and utility

藝術與實用之間幾無差別

Another main characteristic of African art is the lack of distinction between art and utility. For example， African masks were used in ceremonies to honor the dead or as protection against evil spirits. They might also be used in initiation rites that would transform an adolescent into a warrior or a man. To understand why African artists produced objects for use rather than for pure aesthetic value， one must first look at the history of Africa itself.

非洲藝術的另一個主要特征是藝術與實用之間缺乏區別。例如，非洲面具曾被用于紀念亡者或抵御邪靈的儀式。這些面具也可能被用于將青少年轉變為戰士或成人的成年儀式中。要理解非洲藝術家為什么為實用而不是為純粹的美學價值而創造作品，我們必須先看看非洲本身的歷史。

Meaning behind art from African culture

非洲文化中藝術背后的意義

One of the most interesting things about African art is the way in which it communicates different meanings and messages. Each piece of art is imbued with a special significance， often derived from African mythology or folklore.

非洲藝術最有趣的事情之一是它傳達不同意義和信息的方式。每一件藝術作品都蘊含著特殊的意義，常常源自非洲神話或民間傳說。

Masks are a prime example of this. They are often used in ceremonies and rituals， and can represent a variety of things， such as animals， ancestors， or gods. Each mask has a unique meaning and purpose， and can be used to communicate with the spirit world.

面具就是一個典型的例子。它們常被用于典禮和儀式，可以代表各種事物，如動物、祖先或神明。每個面具都有獨特的含義和目的，可以用來與神靈世界溝通。

Another common element in African art is sculpture. African sculptures are often incredibly lifelike， and are often used to depict important figures from African mythology. They can also be used to celebrate the achievements of great people or to commemorate significant events.

非洲藝術的另一個常見元素是雕塑。非洲雕塑常常栩栩如生，常被用來描繪非洲神話中的重要人物。雕塑還可以被用于慶祝偉人的成就或紀念重大事件。

African traditional art

非洲傳統藝術

The term “traditional art” refers to the most widely researched and common types of fine African art that can be seen in museums worldwide.

“傳統藝術”一詞指的是在世界各地博物館中可以看到的、被廣泛研究的常見非洲美術類型。

Masks are an important part of traditional African culture. They are used in ceremonies and rituals to represent spirits or ancestors. Each mask has its own unique design and purpose， and are often embellished with cowrie shells1， stones， feathers， beads， or leather fringes.

面具是非洲傳統文化的重要組成部分，被用于典禮和儀式，代表神靈或祖先。每一個面具都有其獨特的設計和目的，常用錢寶貝貝殼、石頭、羽毛、珠子或皮革流蘇裝飾。

In western Africa， wooden masks depicting humans， animals， or mythical animals are frequent western art forms and African traditions. They were initially worn for religious and ceremonial occasions like weddings， agricultural work， and wartime preparations. A selected or qualified dancer dons the masks. Ancestors are “communicated” with the dancer in a deep trance while performing the mask ceremony.

在西非，描繪人類、動物或神話動物的木制面具是常見的西部藝術形式和非洲傳統。它們起初在婚禮、農業勞動和戰時準備等宗教和儀式場合佩戴。被選定的或有資格的舞者會戴上這些面具。在面具儀式中，深度出神狀態下的舞者與祖先“交流”。

When wearing a mask， it is possible to wear it in three distinct ways： diagonally covering the face， horizontally covering the entire face， or horizontally covering a full head. If you don an African mask， its often thought that the spirit of your forefathers has taken over your body.

面具可能有三種不同的佩戴方式：斜對角覆蓋面部、水平覆蓋整個面部或水平覆蓋整個頭部。如果你戴上非洲面具，人們常會認為你祖先的靈魂已經占據了你的身體。

Cowrie shells， nails， and metal studs are commonly used to inlay statues made of ivory or wood. Ornamental clothing is also a typical sight in African art， and it is a significant aspect of the culture. Ghanas colorful， strip-woven Kente fabric is one of the most complicated African textiles. A more well methodology of traditional art is patterned mud-cloth2.

錢寶貝貝殼、釘子和金屬釘飾常用于鑲嵌象牙或木頭制成的雕像。裝飾性衣物也是非洲藝術的典型體現，是非洲文化的一個重要方面。由交織布條織成的、色彩繽紛的加納肯特（Kente）織物是非洲最復雜的紡織品之一。傳統藝術中能更好體現其技法的是印花泥布。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）

1 cowrie shell 錢寶貝貝殼。cowrie是腹足綱、寶貝科、寶貝屬的一種海洋軟體動物，種類很多，包括很小的錢寶貝，從前非洲等地將其貝殼當貨幣使用。

2 mud-cloth 泥布，泥染布料，一種非洲傳統布藝。