I agree completely. I do lots of art that is heavily influenced my pre-colonial Africa an the first thing people ever say almost instinctively is how "tribal" it is.
Almost all of my art is based on the Yoruba people who were in fact one of the most urbanized people in the world for most of their history. The Ashanti as well who were and still are one of the most sophisticated sub-saharan people in Africa. Not only is the word "tribal" misused but they also have a strong tendency of referring to all of the higher ups in these societies as "chiefs" even though they hold positions almost if not exclusively on par with European titles for Lieutenants and petty kings. My art never portrays primitives running around with loin cloths and short spears. I think part of the "Zulu tribe" issue has to do with the fact that the Zulu were relatively primitive in terms of technology and life style yet they are easily one of the most popular and overrated African ethnic groups in existence. There were much more advanced West African Empires that were larger, more technologically advanced, larger militarizes, larger cities, and were armed with swords and armor. I drew this character based on a Bini warrior from the Benin Empire.
Almost all of my art is based on the Yoruba people who were in fact one of the most urbanized people in the world for most of their history. The Ashanti as well who were and still are one of the most sophisticated sub-saharan people in Africa. Not only is the word "tribal" misused but they also have a strong tendency of referring to all of the higher ups in these societies as "chiefs" even though they hold positions almost if not exclusively on par with European titles for Lieutenants and petty kings. My art never portrays primitives running around with loin cloths and short spears. I think part of the "Zulu tribe" issue has to do with the fact that the Zulu were relatively primitive in terms of technology and life style yet they are easily one of the most popular and overrated African ethnic groups in existence. There were much more advanced West African Empires that were larger, more technologically advanced, larger militarizes, larger cities, and were armed with swords and armor. I drew this character based on a Bini warrior from the Benin Empire.
Regarding art, it is indeed quite funny and frustrating when even Benin art (which was one of the most advanced in the world) is labeled "tribal". How can "primitives" make statues like this:
