| administrative centers | Locations where governmental and organizational functions are conducted and authority is exercised. |
| African diaspora | The dispersal of African peoples and their cultural contributions to populations around the world. |
| animal husbandry | The practice of breeding and raising domesticated animals for food, labor, and other resources. |
| astronomical cycles | Regular celestial phenomena such as equinoxes and solstices that prehistoric peoples observed and incorporated into their artistic and cultural practices. |
| belief systems | Organized sets of religious, spiritual, or philosophical ideas that guide how a culture understands the world and conducts itself. |
| carving | A technique of shaping materials by cutting away portions to create a form or design. |
| casting | A metalworking process in which molten metal is poured into a mold to create a form. |
| contemporary African arts | Modern artistic practices from the African continent that demonstrate dynamic traditions and increase global awareness of African creativity. |
| cosmopolitan patterns | Ongoing interactions and exchanges between African populations and the rest of the world that influenced artistic and intellectual traditions. |
| cultural interactions | The exchanges, influences, and relationships between different cultures as reflected in artistic practices and styles. |
| cultural practices | The customs, rituals, and traditional activities of a society that are reflected in and inform artistic and architectural creation. |
| dynamic intellectual and artistic traditions | Evolving creative practices and ideas that result from Africa's ongoing interactions with the rest of the world. |
| expressive art | Art that communicates ideas, emotions, and beliefs rather than attempting to realistically depict the visible world. |
| forging | A metalworking technique of shaping metal by heating and hammering. |
| Great Zimbabwe | An ancient city in southern Africa known for its monumental stone architecture and role as an administrative center. |
| Harlem Renaissance | A cultural and artistic movement that expanded notions of place and race through African American creative contributions. |
| human migrations | The movement of populations across geographic regions, which facilitated the spread of arts, religions, and trade. |
| identity | The characteristics, beliefs, and affiliations that define an individual or group within a society. |
| Igbo Ukwu | An archaeological site in Nigeria known for its sophisticated bronze artifacts and evidence of early urban development. |
| international trade routes | Established pathways for commerce and exchange between distant regions that facilitated the distribution of artistic traditions and cultural practices. |
| Kilwa Kisiwani | An island city on the East African coast that served as an important administrative and trading center. |
| liturgical centers | Sacred or ceremonial sites where religious rituals and spiritual practices are performed. |
| liturgical cycles | Recurring religious ceremonies and rituals that structure spiritual and communal life. |
| material | The physical substances used by artists to create artworks, such as stone, bronze, or paint. |
| maturational cycles | Stages of human development and growth marked by rituals, ceremonies, or artistic expressions. |
| media | The forms through which art is expressed, including vocal, aural, and visual forms. |
| Meroë | An ancient city in Nubia (present-day Sudan) that served as an administrative and cultural center demonstrating monumental architecture. |
| modeling | A technique of shaping materials such as clay or other malleable substances to create three-dimensional forms. |
| monumental architecture | Large-scale, impressive structures built to demonstrate power, authority, or religious significance. |
| Negritude | A literary and intellectual movement that expanded notions of place and race, celebrating African and African diaspora identity and culture. |
| pharaonic Egypt | Ancient Egyptian civilization during the period of rule by pharaohs, characterized by monumental architecture and complex belief systems. |
| physical setting | The geographic location, environment, and landscape that influences the creation and function of art. |
| process | The methods and steps artists use to create artworks, including planning, construction, and execution techniques. |
| representational art | Art that aims to depict or imitate the appearance of objects, people, or scenes from the natural world. |
| rock art | Artistic expressions created on rock surfaces, including paintings and engravings found in early African sites. |
| Santeria | A religious and artistic practice reflecting African cultural traditions and their adaptation in diaspora communities. |
| seasonal cycles | Recurring periods of the year marked by changes in climate and environment that influence cultural and artistic practices. |
| status | Social rank or position within a community, often demonstrated through the creation and possession of particular art objects. |
| technique | The specific skills and methods artists employ to manipulate materials and create desired effects in their work. |
| Timbuktu | A historic city in Mali that served as an important administrative and cultural center in West Africa. |
| urbanization | The growth and development of cities and urban areas, creating new subjects and contexts for artistic practice. |
| weaving | A technique of interlacing fibers or threads to create textiles and other fiber-based artworks. |