Traditional African art originated from ceremonies and special occasions and continues today to represent spiritual values and beliefs. Throughout history, African artifacts were diverse and rich in culture across the continent of Africa.

Historically, African Tribal Art objects were used in ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations of indigenous tribes in Africa. African tribal artifacts are one-of-a-kind objects, hand-made from wood, bronze, iron, textiles, and beads.

African Folk Art, typically drawn from daily life, also features hand-crafted masks, metal objects, textiles and wooden sculptures, plus ceremonial objects - like the utilitarian-based agricultural hoe, from certain tribes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, used as currency.

Unlike everyday money, this prestigious currency was exchanged on occasions like marriage, and bears symbols utilitarian and decorative - of cultural significance hammered into the metal.