Why does the Western distinction between fine art and craft not fully fit precolonial African art?

The Western distinction between fine art and craft does not fully apply to precolonial African art because that dichotomy emerged from specific social, economic, and intellectual developments in Europe that did not occur in Africa during that period.1

In many African languages, the concept of "art" is fundamentally linked to skill rather than being separated into categories of "high" and "low" value. The Western classification often relies on whether an object is considered "collectible" or purely aesthetic, which led to the miscategorization of functional items—such as textiles or pottery—as mere craftwork, while sculpture was elevated to fine art.1

Furthermore, it is a misconception that precolonial African art was solely functional while Western art was created for "art's sake." In Africa, the motivation for creating an object is complex; an item can be simultaneously practical, ritualistic, and a source of aesthetic pleasure. To understand African art, one must look beyond external Western categories and instead investigate local aesthetic values, which may recognize artistic significance in diverse forms, such as well-hoed yam heaps or the visual enhancement of livestock.1