African Arts & Crafts Ideas
The continent of Africa is home to 53 different countries and 9 separate regions, each with its own diverse and interesting cultures and customs. Children can learn a myriad of facts about Africa's ancient civilizations, its people, and its contributions to our everyday society by creating original arts and crafts based upon this area of the world.
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African Asimevo Cloth
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Tribes in Africa weave colorful cloths to represent their individual cultures. The Asante people of Ghana weave colorful Kente cloth to be worn during important religious and social events. Asimevo designs are similar to Kente designs and can be created easily with dark construction paper and a variety of bright markers. To create your own design, fold a piece of dark construction paper into thirds both lengthwise and width-wise to create nine squares. Draw a colorful pattern in the first square. Repeat the pattern in every other square. Turn your paper at a 90 degree angle and draw a new design in the remaining squares.
Swahili Place mat
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The Swahili people weave beautiful mkeki mats to use during special celebrations. You can create your own celebration mat with construction paper, scissors and glue. Begin by cutting a piece of construction paper into strips. Fold another piece of construction paper in half and draw a series of lines from the fold to about one inch from the edge of the paper. Cut the lines with scissors. Unfold the paper and weave the paper strips in using an over under pattern. When you are finished, secure the strips to the place mat with glue.
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Good Luck Hand
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Moroccan Africans use the Khamasa as a symbol for good luck. You can create your own good luck hand with construction paper, aluminum foil, scissors, glue, and markers. Begin by tracing your hand on a piece of construction paper and a piece of aluminum foil. Cut out your hands and glue the aluminum foil hand to the top of the construction paper one. Decorate with markers or optional art supplies like glitter and sequins.
African Trade Beads
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Trade beads were made by a variety of African tribes. You can make your own trade beads to create necklaces, bracelets and ankle bracelets with a toothpick and paper cut into the shape of triangles. Beginning with the widest end, wind the triangles around the toothpick. Secure the tip of the triangle to the bead with glue. Allow the beads to dry then color them with crayons and markers.
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