Sahel:Art and Empires on the Shores of the Sahara

The exhibition 'Sahel: Art and Empires on the Shores of the Sahara' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed the rich artistic heritage of West Africa, spanning from the 3rd to the 19th century. It showcased over 200 works from the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay, as well as other kingdoms, highlighting their material cultures in stone, clay, wood, bronze, gold, textiles, musical instruments, and illuminated manuscripts. The exhibition spatially anchored these artifacts near historic landmarks, providing a comprehensive historical context. It also introduced lesser-known forms of material culture and utilized interdisciplinary research to bridge gaps between the Sahel's history and its legendary states.

Imperato, P. J. (2022). Sahel:Art and Empires on the Shores of the Sahara. African Arts, 55(1), 83–85. https://doi.org/10.1162/afar_r_00641