Discuss with examples, five roles of the traditional arts of the West Africa.

Many candidates were attracted to this question. The important points mentioned by the candidates include:
(a) Political role: Traditional rulers paraphernalia Examples: Staff of office, crown, royal seat, regalia, masks, stools, architecture etc.
(b) Aesthetics: Art forms are for decorative purposes, providing pleasure.
Examples include wall hangings, headdress, tapestry, rugs, morals etc
(c) Religious roles: gods are represented in sculptural forms as deities, objects of worship.
(d) Utilitarian roles: Art is used in household as utensils. Example; Ornamented walking sticks, carved spoons, trays, stools, plates etc. Other items are wall-mats, table cloths, drapers, bed sheets foot mats etc.

Other roles that were not discussed by the candidates include the therapeutic roles which are divided into three parts:
(i)    Preventive statements: They are used for prevention of misfortune, accidents and
sickness.
(ii)   Curative miniature: Sculptures are used for cure of spiritual illness. Example fertility figures for barrenness; akuaba figure for care of urgliness.
(iii)   Protective sculptures: They are used for protection from spiritual attacks and to ward off evil. Example- rings, amulets, tattoos etc.