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 Nubia was a place of miracles, one especially abiding was its
light, everything seemed to shine, which had nothing to do with
the devouring sun. Nubian light was an inner force, black shone
as bright as white, and white blazed. Some invisible hand seemed
to have polished the entire physical landscape of the country
with diamond dust, without glare or high-light voltage. It
glowed, easy, one was forever refreshed
The art forms in Nubia were divided into three
categories: utilitarian, decorative and symbolic. The
utilitarian arts include making plates, mats, fans, and jars
from material available in the environment, such as straw and
clay. Women practiced this art form. Bright colors distinguished
the Nubian form from the Egyptian or Sudanese plates or
jars.After resettlement this art form disappeared because the
utensils are available from the market.The decorative art
included mainly bead necklaces and bracelets. Grooms and brides
used these ornaments to decorate themselves.Now modern jewelry
such as silver and gold has replaced these items.The symbolic
art included wall and door decoration.Decoration was typical of
Nubian houses. Icons of houses were made to protect houses from
the evil eye. After resettlement, decorations were replaced by
paintings. |
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 The art forms in Nubia were divided into three
categories: utilitarian, decorative and symbolic. The
utilitarian arts include making plates, mats, fans, and jars
from material available in the environment, such as straw and
clay. Women practiced this art form. Bright colors distinguished
the Nubian form from the Egyptian or Sudanese plates or
jars.After resettlement this art form disappeared because the
utensils are available from the market.The decorative art
included mainly bead necklaces and bracelets. Grooms and brides
used these ornaments to decorate themselves.Now modern jewelry
such as silver and gold has replaced these items.The symbolic
art included wall and door decoration.Decoration was typical of
Nubian houses. Icons of houses were made to protect houses from
the evil eye. After resettlement, decorations were replaced by
paintings.
Among the crafts which characterized the Modern Nubian culture,
the most important is jewelry. Necklaces, earrings, anklets,
nose rings, pendants, rings, made mainly of gold and silver,
sometimes inlaid with semi precious stones, had several shapes
according to the material and also to the person to whom they
were destined.
The wedding party was an important occasion to wear these
jewels. They played an important role in the Nubian marriage
tradition. The donation of the colt to the bride was a moment of
big feast known as the fadgab. Jewelry was a way for most women
of keeping capital and of showing their status.
The marriage among the Nubians is one of the important moments
during which the deepest personal emotions and traditions of the
people are expressed (songs, dances, music, dresses, jewelry,
drawings). It was often arranged also to combine for example,
shares in land, palm tress, cows, etc. To this event many people
and family members coming from distant villages were invited.
A notable advancement in ancient Nubia come around 6000 B.C.
with the production of pottery by the Nubian culture. Comparison
of pottery, tool making methods and sources of raw materials
show the influence of Nubia on early stages of ancient Egyptian
development. Also, the presence of Upper Egyptian ceramics in
Nubian graves and similarities in pottery show the influence of
Egypt on Nubian development. Pottery was decorated and
burnished, and was valued greatly by Nubian culture. This was
reflected in the technical and artistic superiority of their
ceramics
Some of the finest products of pottery workshops from any
period in the Nile Valley are the 'Kerma beakers'. The vessels
are red-brown colour with a black top in tulip form. They are
hand-formed first, but in Classical Kerma (about 1700 - 1550 BC)
they were shaped on a potter's wheel. The surface is highly
polished. Often there is a distinctive silvery band around the
vessel, from application of the bright white pigment huntite.
Nubian art and its symbols
Nubian art reflects Nubian culture ; many of its symbols and
motifs are significant expressions of folk traditions and
superstitions. They can be seen in tattoos and wall paintings
that decorated the facades and entrance halls of many houses.
These symbols recur in the designs of bead work and all kinds of
baskets ,plates and mats ... etc Decorative motifs often carry a
moral or magic significance : a sword stands for courage and
heroic achievements. Stars and crescent are Islamic symbols of
good omen ,also the black cat. Crows and owls carry bad omens .
Roses and flowers in general stands for friendship and love ,
the apple for feminine attraction , the tortoise for idleness ,
the chameleon for change and a pitcher and a prayer rug for
purity and chastity
Amulets, charms and talismans
Nubians use amulets ,charms and talismans for good luck and
protection from the evil eye . Some are painted on walls in the
form of scorpions. Some are made of braided beads ,shells or
hair which hang on the posts of the bed or hang thickly from the
ceiling. Baskets are made of palm branches and decorated with
white shells, hanging from the ceiling may have the same
function.
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