Gender Roles in African Royal Art

Paper Summary:

This paper explains the use of iconography, the study of images in search of the thoughts and meanings imbued by the artist and transmitted to the viewer, as applied to African royal art. The author points out that, in the Yoruba society, women have a distinct and celebrated role within the community, unlike Western societies. The paper stresses that the crown of the King of Yoruba may be interpreted as representing male power and dominance, but it may also be interpreted as a representation of the cooperative nature of ruling by both male and female within the Yoruba culture.

From the Paper:

"The feminist slogan of "the personal is political" became a banner under which Western women determined to change the social fabric - attacking the norms and mores that had excluded women from participation in all areas of living. The feminist definition of social roles was grounded in an affirmation of women's attributes and contributions, not just of social relations. The Yoruba form of social interaction was not based on individualism, as is the Western concept. "The Yoruba Iyalode (also called Eiyelobinrin or "mother of all women,") was often the head of a lineage as well as, "the woman designated as their political leader and spokesman in government". Her title as "chief" gave her jurisdiction over all women within her sphere of influence. She established courts and heard cases, creating a chain of authority that oversaw women's affairs, including the administration of the all-important markets."

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