Art History Museum Essays - Art Genres, Self-portraits By Rembrandt

Art History Museum As a student of art history, going to a museum is the only way to fully experience a work of art. By only looking at a painting or sculpture in a book or on a slide, you cannot fully experience the work of art. By going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I was able to look at paintings that dated from centuries old, to recent times. Bruges, The Life and Miracles of Saint Godelieve, 15th Century, Tempera on wood The Proto-Renaissance alter piece, The Life and Miracles of Saint Godelieve was done by the artist Bruges. This piece is very typical of its time period. The title alone, summarizes what art was in this period, religious. The painting itself is not proportionate, has no vanishing point, and the saints have a globe-like halo. All the faces look the same, if you walked down the street, you would not be able to pick out an individual model for this painting, because there probably was no modeling done. Raphael, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, 1504, oil on wood The Raphael alter-piece, Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, was painted in 1504. The surface is very smooth, you cannot see any brushstrokes. The figures are placed in a pyramid shape, with the Madonna's face as the center, and the viewer as the worm's eye-view perspective. The face's still all look the same, but there is much more detail in this piece than in The Life and Miracles of Saint Godelieve. The bright colors, details, size of the alter-piece, and what we now recognize as halos on the angels make this work a typical Raphael. Designed by Francesco di Giorgio, Gubbio Studiolo, 1476, wood trompe-l'oeil The Gubbio Studiolo is amazing. At a first glance everything looks real. But then at a closer look, you realize the benches and cabinets that are there, are not real benches and cabinets at all. It's all wood inlayed on a wall. To create shadows, the artist used different types of wood. It is supposed to have the effect of having the viewer think everything is three dimensional. Even the ceiling is part of this effect. The scene this work depicts has all aspects of learning portrayed; religion, science, music, and literature. The artist places items symbolizing these different parts of learning by placing them into the "cabinets" that are all around. Bronzino, Portrait of a young Man, 1550, oil on wood The mannerist work, Portrait of a Young Man was done by Bronzino. The painting contains aspects conveyed by the mannerist period. The young man is holding a book, which leads the viewer to make the assumption that he his very learned. The man conveys an attitude toward us, as if he is the best. The composition itself has "hidden" grotesques all over. The man's eyes are purposely distorted, one eye is looking straight out, while the other is looking towards the side. His long fingers are placed in very odd positions, making this piece very mannerist. Rubens, Wolf and Fox Hunt, 1615-1621, oil on canvas Wolf and Fox Hunt by Rubens was created between 1615 and 1621. This extremely large painting has very soft colors. The painting is light and airy. To look at it, is like looking at a real scene through an early morning mist. This mood is created by the soft brushstrokes that are used. For example, in the horse's tail, you can see all the brushstrokes, which gives the hair depth. Rembrandt, Self-Portrait, 1660, oil on canvas Rembrandt's Self-Portrait, done in 1660, creates a dark, unpleasant mood. Rembrandt looks worn out, tired, and very unhappy. All of his paintings in the museum portray this darkness. There is one light source that casts a gloomy shadow over everything, which in his Self-Portrait, tells the viewer, that at this point in his life, he was very unhappy. Rembrandt does not enhance his features, but instead, makes them worse. Boucher, The Interrupted Sleep, 1750, oil on canvas The feminism, and almost gaudiness of the Rococo period is conveyed through The Interrupted Sleep. This painting is very small in size like many of the paintings done during this time. The composition itself is very sensual, with the soft pastel colors and the soft, pink bodies of the woman. The use of the dogs show the richness that ran through this period in history. Lepage, Joan of Arc, 1880, oil on canvas The 19th century painting Joan of Arc was painted by Lepage. What makes this my favorite 19th century painting

Free Essays on Dramatic Literature

Greek Drama534 b.c. don’t know exactly. Thespis, first tragedy writer stepped out of chorus for a solo. Tragedy=goat song. Possible influence by Egyptian ritual- Isis & Osiris story. dionysia (4 celebrations each winter in Athens, featured drama contests attempting to secure fertility and crop growth-3 days long, 3tragedies, 1 satyr each, paid for by civic duty of wealthy Athenians. G humanizing of gods built temples sacrifices-G drama explains the divine approach to favor and disfavor. orchestra=center. skene=scene house, backstage. proskenion=raised stage in front of skene perform) .mekane =actors lowered onto stage and enacted roles of olypian gods messing with human affairs. Deus ex machine= the god from the machine. rescue characters, last minute, unsatisfying means of solving problems no religious text TRAGEDY, focused on person of noble birth. moira=fate. catharsis=purging of pity and fear, tragedy could only befall the great.Kenn Burke=purpose passion perception. pu rpose-stuff-passion=trying to resolve-perception=trajic fate would rather not face, greatest punishment. anagnorisis=recognition of perception of truth. peripeteia= figures fortunes reversedChorus=12-15 men, represented citizens, originally no separate actors, wore masks. Thespis=6thc. first to step from chorus, and talk with it Agon, dramatic confrontation. won first prize for tragedy in 532bc took several parts and wore masks. Aeschylus-first important G tragedian whos work survives added a 2nd actor, Sophocles 3rd. Prologue, estb. problem. Agons- developed relationship. exodus, concluded action inbetween. parados-moving onstage.stasima-standing still, strophe-odes while moving rtol.antistrophe while moving back to r. SATYR-, chorus dressed as half beast half man ran around with a fake penis. slapstick humor.Cyclops, Euripides only to survive. COMEDY Aristophanes (lysistrata) old comedy, individuals personally attacked, coarse and brassy humor, not vicious,... Free Essays on Dramatic Literature Free Essays on Dramatic Literature Greek Drama534 b.c. don’t know exactly. Thespis, first tragedy writer stepped out of chorus for a solo. Tragedy=goat song. Possible influence by Egyptian ritual- Isis & Osiris story. dionysia (4 celebrations each winter in Athens, featured drama contests attempting to secure fertility and crop growth-3 days long, 3tragedies, 1 satyr each, paid for by civic duty of wealthy Athenians. G humanizing of gods built temples sacrifices-G drama explains the divine approach to favor and disfavor. orchestra=center. skene=scene house, backstage. proskenion=raised stage in front of skene perform) .mekane =actors lowered onto stage and enacted roles of olypian gods messing with human affairs. Deus ex machine= the god from the machine. rescue characters, last minute, unsatisfying means of solving problems no religious text TRAGEDY, focused on person of noble birth. moira=fate. catharsis=purging of pity and fear, tragedy could only befall the great.Kenn Burke=purpose passion perception. pu rpose-stuff-passion=trying to resolve-perception=trajic fate would rather not face, greatest punishment. anagnorisis=recognition of perception of truth. peripeteia= figures fortunes reversedChorus=12-15 men, represented citizens, originally no separate actors, wore masks. Thespis=6thc. first to step from chorus, and talk with it Agon, dramatic confrontation. won first prize for tragedy in 532bc took several parts and wore masks. Aeschylus-first important G tragedian whos work survives added a 2nd actor, Sophocles 3rd. Prologue, estb. problem. Agons- developed relationship. exodus, concluded action inbetween. parados-moving onstage.stasima-standing still, strophe-odes while moving rtol.antistrophe while moving back to r. SATYR-, chorus dressed as half beast half man ran around with a fake penis. slapstick humor.Cyclops, Euripides only to survive. COMEDY Aristophanes (lysistrata) old comedy, individuals personally attacked, coarse and brassy humor, not vicious,...

The retail industry in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The retail industry in China - Essay Example f various consumer protection legislations like 1993 Chinese Consumer Protection Laws and others that have resulted in high bargaining power of consumer in the Chinese market (Zhuang, Herndon & Zhou, 2003, p.42). Bargaining Power of Suppliers In the past history Chinese suppliers had an edge over the retailer primarily due to legislative policies like the planned price based system. This helped the suppliers to have greater bargaining power. However with the abolition of this policy has led to suppliers in a situation of overstocking that has forced them to lower prices that has in turn heavily reduced the bargaining power of the suppliers. In addition to this the emergence of private label brands and supermarkets has also considerably dented the bargaining power of the suppliers. Hence it can be easily stated that the extent of this force in the Chinese retail industry is low (Zhuang, Herndon & Zhou, 2003, p.40-41). Threat of New Entrants The Chinese retail industry was initially hi ghly protected by the government that made it difficult for new players to enter the market, however with liberalization coming in a step by step manner, the entry barriers have decreased owning to smaller economies of scale in the retail industry. However, the coming up of international supermarkets has also threatened the existence of small individual retailers and has also increased the entry barriers for the new players (Bird et. al, n.d., p.44). Competition among the Existing Players The opening up of the Chinese economy and its liberalization has increased the number of competitors in the market. The emergence of international retailers has further increased the extent of the competition in the retail market. The figure below shows the list of top ten retail brands in the multi brand... According to the research findings the age of globalization has opened up a plethora of opportunities for business organizations operating in the present world. Globalization has rendered the entire world into a boundary less market with organizations trying to establish their presence in the market. The growth of free trade as well as emergence of developing economies like China and India also have opened up new vistas for firms trying to expand their business in the wake of saturation of the traditional markets of Europe and USA. However international expansion also involves considerable planning as there are considerable entry barriers in new markets as well as other forces that affect the business prospects of firms. The analysis of the Chinese retail market shows considerable advantage considering the rapid economic growth of the nation. The analysis of the five forces model reveals that the competitive landscape is very congenial for investing in the market. However certain ent ry barriers like government regulations can emerge as a considerable source of barrier for new foreign players to establish their presence in the market. However since the competitive landscape of the market has become extremely competitive hence, it has become somewhat difficult for new market payers and instantly grab the market share. The key lies in formulating an optimum service mix that can help in generating competitive edge for an organization.

A piece of writing which may persuade or advise a readership. (1,000 Essay

A piece of writing which may persuade or advise a readership. (1,000 words) - Essay Example Nevertheless, plastic is a major threat to our environment, which is already being ravaged by innumerable human activities. If we want our future generations to live on this planet, enjoying its resources, we have to conserve our environment, and shunning plastic is a sure step in that direction. Chemicals used to produce plastic are toxic and many of its constituents like benzene and vinyl chloride are known to be carcinogenic. Ethylene oxide and xylenes, released during its production can cause birth defects and nervous system disorders, besides weakening the immune system and causing damage to kidneys and blood. Discarded plastic waste can choke drains, providing breeding ground for disease causing organisms, and floods during heavy rains. Plastic is non biodegradable, but it degrades into smaller and smaller toxic particles in presence of light. These particles pollute soil, water and oceans, wreaking havoc in marine life and entering our systems through food chain. The Marine Conservation Society, UK has highlighted the increasing danger to marine life from plastic pollution. Discarded plastic causes hardships to about 267 marine species. Can you believe there are about 46,000 pieces of non-degradable plastic in every square mile of the ocean? According to the MCS, the plastic on UK beaches has grown by 126 percent since 1994, explaining the deaths of many seabirds, turtles, whales and seals. The ubiquitous plastic bags, seemingly harmless, are potential killers if swallowed by stray animals. When these bags enter oceans, they become harmful pieces of litter. Mistaking them for food, many marine animals and birds swallow them, and die very painfully. According to a special section in the Oct 2008 issue of Environmental Research—â€Å"A Plastic World†, pthalates used in PVC plastics can block the production of male sex hormone testosterone, bisphenol A (BPA) used in poly carbonate plastics

The role of sexuality in Victorian society applied to A. S. Byatts Essay

The role of sexuality in Victorian society applied to A. S. Byatts Possession - Essay Example Byatt’s novel Possession. Although the novel tells a fictional tale of two literary scholars tracking down evidence of a love affair between two Victorian era poets, episodes dedicated to the poets themselves reveal a great deal of information regarding the way of life of women during this period in history. Unlike much of the non-fiction articles that have been written about life in Victorian England and elsewhere, Byatt’s novel provides a glimpse of several different women during this period that held quite opposing views regarding their individual sexualities. By tracing through the novel Possession and comparing it with non-fictional accounts of this period and critical evaluation, one can begin to gain a sense of how women had been severely restricted in their options in Victorian society as well as how they rebelled or worked within it to achieve their own sense of sexuality. There are three principle female characters involved in the Victorian portion of the novel, each with her own strengths and weaknesses demonstrating how she has both conformed to and resisted the definitions placed upon her by the strict nature of Victorian England. Christabel LaMotte is a scholar and minor poetess who is the object of Randolph Henry Ash’s fascinated attention. Blanche Glover is the companion of Christabel, sharing her home and dream of independence but not able to retrieve the same sense of fulfillment as she does not receive recognition for her actions. A fourth woman, Sabine Kercoz, Christabel’s younger cousin, adds her own perspective regarding female sexuality during the Victorian age from the unique oblique of the French countryside.

Should We Eat Pork Philosophy Essay

Should We Eat Pork Philosophy Essay Nowadays, people pay more attention on choosing what we eat. At the same time, the issue of animal rights and welfare is being raised and discussed in the society. Dogs have been considered as our companion animals for over 30,000 years (Waugh, 2012), while pigs are being considered as farm animals in most countries. Dogs are loved and cared by human; staying with us and we provide them with comfortable living environment. However, pigs live in intensive factory farms with indecent living conditions, being packed in small areas and treated inhumanely, and being treated as food to human. This situation reveals the problem of unequal treatment between pigs and dogs and it leads us to the topic: should we eat pork if we do not eat dogs? Most people against eating dog meat but they allow eating pork; they object to cruelty to dogs while enjoying the produce by cruelty to pigs. We are showing our prejudice towards pigs when we are labelling them as meat, because it turns pigs as something, and we are objectifying them as food to human (Grillo, 2012). They are both animals, but what are the differences between pigs and dogs and what is wrong in pigs that make them deserve poorer treatment? Given that pigs and dogs are both animals, then they should be given same treatment. If we refuse to eat dogs, then we should not eat pork. In the following, I will be introducing the problem of moral inconsistency, followed by arguing that indeed pigs and dogs are very similar, and the value of them should be independent of their relationship with humans. Possible arguments from the opposite side, along with some responses will be addressed in the later part. Psychologists mentioned that people are always inconsistent in our attitude and behaviour, and Elizabeth Anderson once mentioned in her book that she is puzzled and confused with moral inconsistency when she saw pet owners wearing fur coat (Herzog, 2011). We are fed with absurdity when we have inconsistent attitudes and selective empathy towards pigs and dogs, and carnisim is the invisible belief system which drives us to choose what to eat (Joy, 2011). We need to be consistent in ethics so as to avoid contraction between our beliefs, values and actions. Being consistent also reflects our integrity as human beings. There are several reasons behind moral inconsistency. The A-B-C model is a widely accepted theory which talks about our attitudes. Our attitude is guided by three components, they are Affect, Behaviour and Cognition (Herzog, 2011). Attitude is how people think and feel towards something, behaviour is your action, cognition is how well you understand that issue. Sometimes, people may encounter moral inconsistency because of keeping a pet, which they are emotionally attached to dogs or other companion animals; or they do not understand how pigs suffering during the process of slaughtering, which they do not consider it as an issue to pigs to be treated inhumanely and killed. People may refuse to eat pork once they see, smell or listen to sounds and situation in the slaughterhouse. Chris Diehm, an environmental philosopher discovered that even when people are pointed out with moral inconsistency, we often think of ways to turn personal behaviour into something reasonable and justifiable (Herzog, 2011). Some of us do realise the differences in our relationships and the way we treat different pigs and dogs; however, we remove our inconsistency by changing our beliefs instead of changing our behaviour so as to feel comfortable. People are unwilling to admit that we are inconsistent or incoherent mainly due to our interest and selfishness, some love the taste of pork and they defend eating pigs. Although Hal Herzog mentioned that moral incoherence is one of the inevitable features of human nature (Herzog, 2011), it is not an excuse of treating pigs and dogs unequally. Human nature does not justify moral incoherence; rather, our human nature, especially our ability to reason and intelligence makes us distinctive from other animals. Instead, human should make good us e of the ability to reason and morality to achieve moral coherence and consistency. Now I will turn to the reasons why pigs and dogs deserve same treatment from human. First of all, pigs and dogs are similar in two ways, both psychologically and physically. In psychological point of view, pigs and dogs are also sentient animals, which they have emotions and they have the ability to experience happiness and sadness. Pigs can be both optimists and pessimists, and their living environment is one of the factors affecting their emotions (Berkoff, 2011). Furthermore, both of them have long term memory of their experience in pain and pleasure, especially for pigs, they not only suffer their own pain, but witness and remember pain of others (PETA, 2013). It has been proved in different scientific reports that both pigs and dogs are very intelligent. They can also develop complex relationships with other species, and they care what happens to them (Grillo, 2012). Each animal, including pigs and dogs has their unique personality and characteristic. In biological point of view, according to the classification of living things, pigs and dogs belong to the clas s of mammals. They have many common characteristics, such as being vertebrates, warm-blooded, having furs and hairs and sweat glands, as well as they undergo internal fertilization. In terms of physical appearance, they have similar teeth and heart structure. They can also perform simple tasks that children are able to do, and doing different tricks like jumping hoops, bowing and standing (Angier, 2009). It is also found that both pigs and dogs have certain preferences towards temperature, such as under cold conditions, dogs need to wear clothes, and pigs can turn on the heater when they are given the chance and turn it off when they feel hot (PETA, 2013). There are a lot misunderstandings or unknown facts about pigs that makes them inferior to dogs. Regarding the psychological and physical similarities, differences in biological structure or emotions do not justify unequal treatment towards pigs. Secondly, some people hold the idea that human are superior to other animals, so that we have the right to treat them according to their relationships with us, and their values depends on how close we are. Paul Taylor brought out the idea of species egalitarianism and biocentrism on the ground that not only are animals members of the community, they are also teleological centres of life that each animal is a unique individual pursing its own good in its own way (Taylor, 1986). Generally, there are three kinds of values being identified in animals, which are the commodity, amenity and moral value (Norton, 1988). Commodity value refers that species can be made into products and being sold in market, for example wool and alligators for making clothes and handbags. Amenity value refers to the presence of animals which improves our lives in a recreational way, such as fishing, hunting or watching performances. Moral value refers to values in species themselves, which includes intrinsic an d inherent value; and that value is independent of human (Regan, 2006; Taylor, 1986). The moral value is a universal value, which can be found in all species and it is the same in all species. Unlike commodity and amenity value, moral value does not come in any degree (Regan, 2006). Therefore, animals have their own life and they do not fully depend on human although different species are interdependent in some way. Even if their values depend on human, it would be a mistake if we overlook their own moral values and independence. Moral value of animals is highly related to the problem of moral inconsistency. Most people responding to some questionnaires stated that they treasured and valued the independent value of animals, which they agreed animals exist independent of any use (Randall, 1986). In spite of the findings from the questionnaires, human place commodity and amenity values on top of moral value of animals in most of the time. Those three values should come together in parallel, and hold equal importance. Furthermore, animals with further relationship with us do not mean that we should or have the rights to treat them unequally and inflict harm on them. We do not know someone does not mean we should hurt that person, and the same applies to animals. Pigs and dogs are independent creatures; they do not live for us. Despite pigs and dogs are highly similar and they have independent moral values, people hold the opposite view have other arguments that they believe it is fine to treat pigs and dogs in different way. In the following, I will be presenting their objections and some responses why their arguments do not stand. Some people may argue that pigs and dogs are very different in nature, which means they are not the same when they are born to and born for. People mean that dogs are bred to be friends and companions of human, while pigs are bred as farm animals to be food and meat to feed human. The ones holding this view consider both dogs and pigs as means to human. We should not consider pigs and dogs as tools to serve and satisfy human needs since we are not the only species on the world (Regan, 2006). They do not live for us as mentioned previously that animals have independent moral value from us. The nature indeed does not shape animals distinctively for different purposes or uses; it does not separate animals from animals into different categories. It is our intuition or practices which lead us to the idea that pigs and dogs are different. Using the example of human, we are not born to be someone; it is our experience that shapes us. Therefore, it does not make sense in claiming that pigs a nd dogs are born differently. People may say that history and our own culture contributes to the differences between pigs and dogs and the act of eating pork, it makes nothing wrong in following our customs. We develop our practices by learning from our ancestors and parents, copying their way of living including their eating habits. However, following culture and customs does not mean we are acting rightfully or the act is ethically good. For example, racism, gender inequality and slavery existed since long time ago; do we say that they are justifiable because our culture and customs that treat people in different manners and ways? We should not make judgements only base on culture and customs, but also our morality, critical mind and rational thinking. It is undeniably difficult to change our practices and beliefs in a short period of time. A person is easily being tempted when the idea of treating pigs and dogs first comes to his mind; and it certainly takes time to change our habit (Herzog, 2011). Another argument which is likely to be given by pet lovers who eat meat is that dogs have higher instrumental value. In the past, dogs hunt for human and they are being considered as loyal since long time ago. They stay with us during our ups and downs, offering love and companionship. They can protect human, our property and children, dogs are also being used to detect bombs and drugs (Wogrinrich, 2011); while pigs are only being considered as food to human. Although dogs seem to have higher instrumental values in our life, actually they are equipped with all those talents because they are trained. Some may say dogs can recognise drugs because of their sensitivity in smelling. However, when we look deeply on how dogs identify different types of drugs, it is because they are being taught by human. If they are not trained, their strengths could not be expressed. It is because we human choose them to be taught rather than pigs, it does not mean that pigs cannot perform those tasks and actions, pigs are also trainable as they are intelligent. Pigs can also be our companion animals and we can keep them in our homes. We stereotyped pigs as stupid and dirty, which refrained people from getting close with them in the past. In this way, we cannot support the argument that we do not eat dogs because they are useful, it is human who makes them useful, and we can also provide pigs with skills so that they can have higher instrumental value. Rick Dove, an animal welfare campaigner once said Its an idiotic double standard: you cant kick a dog, but you can lock a pig up in a small crate and take her piglets away before she can nurse them properly, as any mother is programmed to do. This is mans insane inhumanity at its worst. (Kirby, 2010); dog lovers who claim that they love and care about animals are contradicting if they eat pork, who truly love animals should not be morally defending causing one harm and suffering to satisfy their own pleasure. It is hypocritical to love one but totally neglecting the other. If we agree to eat pork, we should accept eating dogs as well regarding their similarity and moral values. If we refuse to eat dogs, then we should not eat pork. Years ago, people have not thought of refusing to eat shark fins due to our traditions and customs, yet people are asking others stop eating shark fins now. Some may not think of treating pigs and dogs and other animals consistently and coherently similarl y. Value changes as time passes, it is the matter of time that people should put this matter into practices. Not only between pigs and dogs, but the other animals should also be given same treatment to show our respect to them as one of the members in community.

africa Essay -- essays research papers

African Cultures   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Africa has more than 800 languages native to its continent. African cultures are so diverse that they are different from any other culture of the world. African cultures contain many different languages. African languages range from common French to languages unheard of to most people such as Swahili. African arts are much different than American arts. Their art involves much more creative pottery, masks, and paintings. Africa has a very interesting culture. Reasons being the people are very creative and like to express their individuality. The most diverse cultures in the world belong to Africa. There are more than 800 languages spoken in the continent of Africa. Most Africans speak two or three languages, their primary language, or â€Å"mother-tongue†, and a second or third language to communicate with people from other close by areas (Fetzer A-102). African languages are broken up into four individual categories: Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic, and Khosian. The most commonly heard two categories are Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan. Both of these groups can modify the meanings of words by the tone of the speakers’ voice. Niger-Congo languages are spoken of the people in West Africa, below the Sahara desert, Southern and Central Africa. Nilo-Saharan languages are spoken mainly in Central Africa. Afro-Asiatic languages are mainly spoken in Northern and Northeastern Africa. This group includes Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and Arabic. Khoisan languages are spoken mostly in Southern Africa by Bushmen, members of traditionally roaming hunting people, and Hottentots, members of pastoral people of Namibia and South Africa. Khoisan languages are communicative through clicking sounds (Fetzer A-102). Some South Africans speak Afrikaans, a language that was developed from Dutch. Europeans in African speak Portuguese, French, and English (Fetzer A-102). English is becoming very recognized in the countries of Africa. The 1991 South African Census concluded that 45% of the people in South Africa have a speaking knowledge of English. It also concluded that 10% refer to English as their â€Å"mother-tongue†. The most common languages in South Africa are Xhosa, Tswana, Zulu, and Swahili (African Languages). Zulu is one of nine Bantu languages spoken in East Southern Africa. Approximately 8.8 million people speak t... ... language of Africans (African Individuality).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ceremonies are held when someone changes their social status and social relationship with those in the community. There are about six ceremonies in ones life. The first is their birth, the second is their maturity, third is their marriage, fourth is their child bearing, fifth is their elderliness, sixth is their death. Ceremonies are simply socially approved methods of participating in pleasurable events (African Individuality).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Africans view body modifications as beauty. Body modifications, such as piercing, have been practiced in Africa for centuries. People there believe that one is not fully human and cannot be distinguished from animals if not pierced. Piercing is brought with royalty and portrays courage of a person (African Cultures Piercing). African cultures are different from any other culture in the world. The languages of Africa are unique in their own way. The arts of Africa are beautiful and different from any other arts in the world. African people are creative and like to express their individuality. Africa is a very original continent with lots of culture. africa Essay -- essays research papers African Cultures   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Africa has more than 800 languages native to its continent. African cultures are so diverse that they are different from any other culture of the world. African cultures contain many different languages. African languages range from common French to languages unheard of to most people such as Swahili. African arts are much different than American arts. Their art involves much more creative pottery, masks, and paintings. Africa has a very interesting culture. Reasons being the people are very creative and like to express their individuality. The most diverse cultures in the world belong to Africa. There are more than 800 languages spoken in the continent of Africa. Most Africans speak two or three languages, their primary language, or â€Å"mother-tongue†, and a second or third language to communicate with people from other close by areas (Fetzer A-102). African languages are broken up into four individual categories: Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic, and Khosian. The most commonly heard two categories are Niger-Congo and Nilo-Saharan. Both of these groups can modify the meanings of words by the tone of the speakers’ voice. Niger-Congo languages are spoken of the people in West Africa, below the Sahara desert, Southern and Central Africa. Nilo-Saharan languages are spoken mainly in Central Africa. Afro-Asiatic languages are mainly spoken in Northern and Northeastern Africa. This group includes Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and Arabic. Khoisan languages are spoken mostly in Southern Africa by Bushmen, members of traditionally roaming hunting people, and Hottentots, members of pastoral people of Namibia and South Africa. Khoisan languages are communicative through clicking sounds (Fetzer A-102). Some South Africans speak Afrikaans, a language that was developed from Dutch. Europeans in African speak Portuguese, French, and English (Fetzer A-102). English is becoming very recognized in the countries of Africa. The 1991 South African Census concluded that 45% of the people in South Africa have a speaking knowledge of English. It also concluded that 10% refer to English as their â€Å"mother-tongue†. The most common languages in South Africa are Xhosa, Tswana, Zulu, and Swahili (African Languages). Zulu is one of nine Bantu languages spoken in East Southern Africa. Approximately 8.8 million people speak t... ... language of Africans (African Individuality).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ceremonies are held when someone changes their social status and social relationship with those in the community. There are about six ceremonies in ones life. The first is their birth, the second is their maturity, third is their marriage, fourth is their child bearing, fifth is their elderliness, sixth is their death. Ceremonies are simply socially approved methods of participating in pleasurable events (African Individuality).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Africans view body modifications as beauty. Body modifications, such as piercing, have been practiced in Africa for centuries. People there believe that one is not fully human and cannot be distinguished from animals if not pierced. Piercing is brought with royalty and portrays courage of a person (African Cultures Piercing). African cultures are different from any other culture in the world. The languages of Africa are unique in their own way. The arts of Africa are beautiful and different from any other arts in the world. African people are creative and like to express their individuality. Africa is a very original continent with lots of culture.