The different groups of people that have existed throughout history (both groups that no longer exist and groups that still exist today hui) also have a number of things in common. like a multitude of differences. Two important aspects of ancient and current cultures and populations that seem closely related are religion and art. These two aspects are closely related and, from a purely cultural point of view, are practically synonymous because in cultures such as African, Native American and ancient Egyptian culture, works of art created by the inhabitants of these cultures are used to express the religion of the people. beliefs and preferences. It can easily be argued that without these works of art and the various media used to create them, religion and religious practice would not exist in such cultures. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The Yoruba culture of Nigeria is a good example of a culture whose people express their beliefs through art. Beginning in the 12th century AD and continuing through the 15th century, the Yoruba people created a number of copper alloy head sculptures and other similar terracotta sculptures of a style known as Ife . In addition to these head sculptures, there are a number of full body sculptures, or standing Oni statues, approximately 18 inches tall. The proportions of these standing Oni statues are such that the head of the sculpture is much larger in relation to the body. Indeed, in Yoruba culture, emphasis is placed on the importance of the head and what is there. The Yoruba people believe that inside the head is where the spirit resides, which determines one's destiny and future. Yoruba art and the presence of numerous pieces and sculptures highlighting the human head are a reflection of this belief alone. The Yoruba people also believe that twins are sacred beings. This belief is also reflected in their art. The birth of twins is associated with many celebrations and festivities in Yoruba culture. However, when a twin dies, the mother must replace him with an Ibeji Twin figurine. Indeed, according to the Yoruba people, the spirit of the twin still exists and must be cared for just as the remaining twin continues to be cared for. The mother usually purchases the twin doll from a market and through a ritual process the spirit of the deceased twin is placed in the doll. In Native American culture, people also expressed their beliefs artistically. The use of Kachina dolls in Native American rituals, for example, is an example of using art for religious purposes. Kachina dolls, common among the Hopi people of the southwestern United States, were made from a variety of materials such as wood, leather, feathers, and paint. They were built by the fathers of young girls from the Hopi tribes and were given to the girls to be cared for and treated as if they were animate beings. The Hopi people also believed that each Kachina doll was linked to an aspect of the real world, such as the weather, crops, sun, moon, etc. Therefore, it was believed that if Kachina dolls were well cared for by their owners, they would bring good fortune related to the aspect of the real world they represented. Another example of Native American art that played an important role in religious practice is that of the Eastern Woodland mounds, particularly the Serpent Mound. Although little is known about this mound, it can be said that it played an important role in the religious practices of the people who.