What are the different forms of art in primitive society?

What are the different forms of art in primitive society? Images of super-human powers are found engraved on wood and on rocks of stones among primitive people. Such engravings at certain places are seen₍even on articles made of metal.

1. Sculpture.

Images of super-human powers are found engraved on wood and on rocks of stones among primitive people. Such engravings at certain places are seen₍even on articles made of metal. The religious character of their sculpture is specially conspicuous, although demons are depicted in their engravings more than their gods.

2. Painting.

Animals, birds and hunting scenes are shown depicted on the doors and walls of their houses, on clothes, floors and even on their utensils among the primitive societies.

3. Music.

Music, which is found in primitive societies, shows that the people of primitive societies, possess a sufficient knowledge of rhythm and sound, etc.

They attach special importance to music on religious occasions and music is considered necessary before the commencement of every religious function. Besides the religious functions, music is specially arranged on social occasions. Some people are professional musicians, but generally, men and women, all take part in group programmes of music. Along with vocal music, instrumental music is also found.

4. Dancing.

Almost in all primitive societies, some sort of dance is arranged on various social and religious occasions and, men and women all take part in dancing. Group dancing is taught in dormitories in most-of the tribes. The custom of group-dance is very common in primitive societies. Dancing is a social activity and gives entertainment to all men and women.

5. Verbal Literature.

Written literature is not available in primitive societies. Literature is found among them in the form of folk-lores. These folk-lores show that they possess a good knowledge about the subject matter, characters and style of a story.

In dormitories, young boys and girls listen to various kinds of folk-lores which contain important information about the origin of their tribe; about the origin of creation; about the mutual relations among men and women; about the origin of various social institutions and about so many other things. It is through the medium of these folk lores that the folk literature of the primitive societies is verbally communicated from one generation to another.

Primitive art is social art, although it also satisfies an individual in so many ways. Music and dancing are mostly performed in group form. Art is the medium of entertainment. In primitive life-people have to spend so much of their time in supplying the very needs of their life that no time is left for art exclusively. Art and life, are, therefore, closely related and go together in a primitive life. They make artistic designs on the articles of their use, as utensils, weapons and their dresses, etc. The influence of their environment on their art is clearly seen. Trees and plants, animals and birds shown in their paintings are mostly those which are found in their particular environment.

In primitive society also, like the civilized society, an artistically made article is considered to be the more valuable in comparison to an ordinary article; and in this way, the time spent in giving an artistic shape to an article is not supposed to be wasted. The aim of art is the creation of beauty along with the self-expression of the artist. Things are made more beautiful through art production. Art productions are also expressions of the imaginations or ideas of the articles.