Most African sculpture was, and is, associated with religion. Most African sculpture is conceived as a vehicle or symbol that compels belief. African art exists to embody spiritual forces, to augment the effectiveness and emotional impact of rituals, and to remind people that they are only partly responsible for their destiny. Other gods are, however, and they are associated with aspects of nature and culture. Animals and plants are also spiritualized, sometimes as messengers of the gods.
Art is important to leadership, in addition to religion.
It made authority visible, commemorated events and people, defined societal and gender roles, and identified various offices within royal hierarchies. All African sculpture, with some exceptions, is made by men. These sculptors functioned within an apprenticeship system. Even though African art is so diverse, some general characteristics can be identified and applied to most of the traditional work produced by most of the tribes. All African art is stylized.