African arts, the visual, performing, and literary arts of native Africa, particularly those of sub-Saharan Africa.
The African arts are treated in a number of articles; see African literature; South African literature; African architecture; African art; African dance; African music; and African theatre. For a discussion of the arts of North Africa, see the article Islamic arts. For information on the geographic, economic, and historical background of African arts, see the articles on the major regions of the continent (e.g., Central Africa, Southern Africa, and so on).