Nok     Culture

• Found in north central Nigeria off the edge of the Jos plateau.
• The oldest known example of terracotta sculpture in Africa, south of the Sahara.
• Dates from 2500-800 B.P  (500 BC to 200 AD).
• Wide diversity of subject matter depicted with considerable variation in style, treatment and scale.
• Highly skilled in the creation of full-length human figures.

kneeling Figure
Composite (Human/Animal) Figure.
Warrior Figure.
	The head is almost life-size and was part of a full-length figure.  Elaborate hairstyle has buns with holes.

Some Stylistic Characteristics of Nok Art:

• Elaborate coiffure.
• Cylindrical heads.
• Pierced eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
• Semi-circular/Triangular eyes and lids.
• Ears set back, often low and small.
• Flared nostrils.

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This website was created and modified by Cynthia Becker, Bolaji Campbell and Janine Sytsma with Professor Henry Drewal. It was last modified August 31st, 2007.
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