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Welcome
Symbols of Africa invites you to take a journey through the cultural traditions and rich heritage that is African Art. Brought down through generations, inspired by nature and perfected by the talent and skill of African Artists, Symbols welcomes you to a shopping experience that stretches from Cape Town to Cairo! Claude & Jill Kleynhans, born and raised in South Africa, both have a genuine love and appreciation for African artefacts and curios.
Each item is hand-picked for quality and authenticity, so when you make a purchase, you can expect the very best that Africa has to offer! Where possible, Symbols purchases directly from the artists, thus ensuring that both you and the artist get the best deal for the artefacts.
MASKS FROM ALL OVER AFRICA
In many African cultures, the use of masks and masquerades dramatize the ways in which the seasons and the natural order of life are honoured. During these vibrant rituals, masks representing various forces of nature are adorned, bringing the ritual or ceremony to life. The masks are crafted largely from wood, leafy branches and raffia fibre.
Masks evolved from the agricultural purification ritual, whereby it was believed that nature is essentially benevolent and that farming is an offense against this goodness. Despite their efforts to atone for this transgression, early agriculturists believed that on their own they could not be saved from punishment, so they created the first society of masks, whose task was to purify the earth and all those who had defiled it. With time, the masks assumed a broader role and introduced the power of the spirit world into other aspects of life, including weddings, initiation, funerals, and other community rituals.
BEAUTIFUL BEADWORK
Glass, bones, metals, amber, stones - they’re all used on this diverse continent to beautify, decorate or represent the wealth of the family.
Traditional beadwork designs are bound by custom and one can easily identify the origin of a beaded article. Tribes that are well-known for their beadwork include the Ndebele from South Africa and the Masai from Tanzania.
FIGURES FOR AFRICA!
The African people are so culture bound and believe in reciprocity between himself and the natural world: Whatever is taken must be accounted for and something must be offered in return. Various ceremonies, rites and offerings are performed using masks and figures made of wood, bronze and clay, to convey various messages to the spirit world
FANCY THIS?
Roses are red, violets are blue and diamonds are white – right? Not quite. They come in an array of rainbow colours. Symbols of Africa offers you the very best prices and quality on precious gems – call us for African mined Diamonds and Tanzanite.
(There is no import or export duty on loose, cut precious stones!) |
