The Effects of European Contact and Colonialism

The Effects of European Contact and Colonialism

The initial goal of European exploration was just that, exploration; however, this quickly changed as Europeans began to explore lands rich with resources they had never seen before. Exploration changed to colonization. However, before these changes took place, in areas that Europeans explored, specifically in Africa and America, there was a peaceful collaboration among them, resulting in cultural assimilation, mostly one-sided, between the two sides. In Africa, early encounters with Europeans were recorded through art. For example, the Queen Mother Pendant Mask is believed to have originated in Nigeria in the 16^th century (Kleiner, 2015). Accordingly, this ivory pendant mask contains several small faces of what is believed to be Portuguese explorers who had come to the West Coast of Africa in the late fifteenth century.

A second example of how European exploration impacted art before colonization is how communities took up European materials and used them to make their art or entirely new types of art. For instance, Native Americans adopted iron awls from European traders and began making shell beads (Rubertone, 2000). This adoption of European materials would continue spreading into most African and Native Americans’ lifestyles, such as in religion, trade, and fashion, which negatively impacted their own individuality.

Without European contact, particularly colonialism, I believe that one of the most significant cultural developments that would have occurred in the aforementioned areas would be the growth of their art. Back then, many sculptures were made that held significant meaning to the people in the communities. However, colonizers full of ignorance turned these sculptures into mere souvenirs that they carried back as “a piece of Africa”. Further, colonialism labeled these pieces of art as tribal or uncontemplated fetishes, which demeaned the art even more. Colonialism ensured that those they colonized abandoned their way of life and took up the European way, leading to the loss of numerous cultures.

One of the ways that these issues continue to reverberate today is through the loss of language, which is a form of art. Several African countries, including Congo, Senegal, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, speak French as their official language (Lokossou et al., 2007). Further, due to colonization, art from Africa or by Native Americans is usually described as tribal or primitive, often art critics using the term neo-primitivism. Such terms, which originated from colonialism, negatively impact the said art.

References

Kleiner, F. S. (2015). Gardner’s art through the ages: A global history. Cengage Learning.

Lokossou, T., Zoumenou, E., Secka, G., Bang na, F. O., Le Polain De Waroux, B., Veyckemans, F., & Chobli, M. (2007). Anesthesia in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa: an overview. Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica, 58(3), 197.

Rubertone, P. E. (2000). The historical archaeology of Native Americans. Annual review of anthropology, 29(1), 425-446.

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The Effects of European Contact and ColonialismUnit 8 DB: The Effects of European Contact and Colonialism
Discussion Board Statement: These discussions are meant for you to jot down your thoughts and analyses of the works of the week. In art, everything is evaluated by your perspective. There is no right or wrong answer to be graded against; instead, you will be graded on how you defend your analysis of the art pieces and the use of the resources (when appropriate).

The Effects of European Contact and Colonialism

Using one example of Native American art and one example of African art to support your ideas, explore the effects that European contact and colonialism had on these cultures and their artistic output. Consider this from as many angles as possible.
How did European exploration impact the native population and influence the kind of art they were creating?
What kind of different cultural developments might have occurred without European contact?
How do these issues continue to reverberate well into the present day?
Write as much as you can, use specific examples of art and architecture to support your position, and justify your stance on the impact of European contact and colonialism on art.
Remember to maintain an open-minded and respectful position when engaging with your classmates.