Jordyn's+African+Exhibit

** Leopard Hip Ornament  ** The artifact was a symbol in war. It was grated by a monarch, declaring that you had the right to take lives of others at war. Warriors wore the ornament slung around their waist, and were highly respected when seen wearing the leopard head. Even though the ruler or the // oba // had many assistants, only he could grant the brass ornament to be worn. However, not only brass leopard head’s were worn, but brass ram, crocodile, baboon, and human heads were worn. The Leopard Hip Ornament was made with its left high slightly higher than the other. The mouth is slightly open, showing a small tongue. Each side of its nose is pierced. You can also see that the ears sit close together on the skinny forehead. There’s also many beads placed around the face, and a head dress. [] ** Current Event  ** In Congo, one of the worlds largest active volcanic lakes sits. This may be a beauty of nature, but not only is it very dangerous but also helpful. The lava often oozes out over the edges, causing it to flow into unsafe places (i.e. forests and small villages or homes). Government officials are looking to attract tourists to the volcanic lake so that money can be raised to stop violence in the area. About a month before the article was written, 69 tourists came and visited and each paid a two-hundred dollar fee to climb up the mountain. [] ** Society  ** The society is based around trade. The main trading goods were salt and gold. Lots of trade routes ran through the Sahara Desert, where people from Europe and Afghanistan came to trade. However, because of the language barrier, they made a “silent trade”, where you leave your goods at a designated spot, sit near by, and wait for someone to come along and trade out your goods with theirs. Art was also very important, especially to the Ile Ife. They built sculptures from ivory, brass, and other metals. Many of the sculptures were of resemblance to the oba’s or other powerful people. Masks of animal and human faces were worn at the hip, resembling the right to take lives at war.