The Guinea Coast region extends along the Atlantic Ocean from Guinea-Bissau through central Nigeria and includes coastal rain forests and inland wooded grasslands. The region is divided into western, central, and eastern areas.

Western Guinea Coast peoples, such as the Baga, Bassa, Bete, and Grebo, live in decentralized societies where political power resides in men's and women's associations. The associations commission sculptures for use during initiations and funerals. Other figures are used for social control or to protect a village from natural and supernatural harm.

The Central Guinea Coast encompasses some of sub-Saharan Africa's most famous centralized states and small chiefdoms. The peoples found here include the Akan, such as the Baule of Cote d'Ivoire and the Asante of Ghana, and the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria. The region's carved wooden imagery tends to be relatively naturalistic, and surfaces are often vividly colored with natural pigments. Much of the art celebrates leadership. Precious materials such as gold and ivory are used to fashion prestigious objects.



Introduction || Western Sudan || Guinea Coast || Yoruba Peoples || Eastern Guinea Coast
Cameroon || Ogowe River Basin || Upper Congo River Basin || Lower Congo and Kwango River Basin
Eastern Congo River Basin || Southern and East Africa



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