African masks
- Ceremonies. African masks are generally representative of some sort of spirit and the spirit is believe to inhabit and possess the dancer as they take part in the performance.
- Rituals. ...
- Celebratory. ...
- Contemporary Art Mask. ...
What is the common material used to make African masks?
In many instances masquerades are forbidden to be seen by certain members of the community. African masks are primarily carved from wood but can also be made of terracotta, glazed pottery, bronze, brass, copper, ivory or leather.
What material can be used to make an Afircan mask?
The Materials of an African Mask African masks are made from a range of different materials: wood, bronze, brass, copper, ivory, terra cotta and glazed pottery, raffia and textiles. Female Kuba Mask (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
What are three types of masks created in Africa?
Types of Masks and Respirators
- Masks. Cloth Masks can be made from a variety of fabrics and many types of cloth masks are available. ...
- Respirators. Some respirators are designed and tested to meet international standards. ...
- Considerations for Children. ...
- Alternative Masks for Special Situations. ...
- Choosing a Mask or Respirator for Different Situations. ...
How do you make an African mask?
How do you make an African mask? African tribal masks. Start by crumpling up a few pieces of paper and put them where you want to increase the size of the mask. Dip the pieces of plaster bandage in water and model them onto the crumpled paper and mask. Along the way, place small pieces of paper where it may be necessary to support the plaster ...
Why are African masks important?
African masks also serve as educational tools, as part of rituals to teach social roles and physical control or to settle disputes. All community members were required to attend Igbo masquerades in Nigeria, where the masked individuals would approach people and tell them the bad behavior they engaged in.
What is an African mask?
African masks are not simply beautiful artistic objects to be admired. Rather, they are part of a ceremonial costume. They are not meant to represent actual people or even animals. These masks served as a way for people to communicate with the spirit world.
What is the role of masks in African funerals?
Masks play a central role in masquerades, during which the mask wearers danced accompanied by music. Masks representing dead ancestors play an important role in African funerals. Masks are also worn during rites of passage, such as mass circumcision of boys or during initiation into secret societies.
What mask did the priest wear?
A priest wore a mask of the jackal-god Anubis mask during funerary rituals, which are depicted in Egyptian art. Two such masks also survive. One is a light wooden mask that would have sat on top of the head but the other is a clay helmet that weighs a whopping 17 pounds!
What happens when a mask wearer puts on his identity?
When the mask wearer puts on the mask, his identity is taken over by the spirit represented by the mask. People are not even allowed to speak the name of the mask wearer because he is subsumed in the mask spirit's identity.
What were masks used for in the 20th century?
By the early 20th century, the same masks came to be regarded as art objects and were collected by and displayed in art museums.
What does a mask represent?
Some are very small, some are life-size, and others are gigantic. Some masks represent animals, either in their form or by incorporating actual parts of animals into their production. Others represent male or female figures. Those that represent women generally take on an idealized view of female beauty.
Why are African masks important?
The African masks are an important part of African ceremonies, rituals, initiations, celebrations and secret communities. The use of African masks typically includes song, prayer, and dance. It is for this reason that the mask can be viewed as an obvious work of sculpture art, but because of its function, it is also considered a performance art ...
Why do Africans wear masks?
This dancer is chosen either because they have been trained specifically for this purpose or because they have demonstrated abilities to extraordinarily communicate with the deceased ancestors.
What are African masks made of?
African masks are mainly crafted from wood. They are often decorated with paints, cowrie shells, colored glass, nails, plant fibers, horns and metal pieces. The actual carving of the African masks and figures is a very deliberated act, which begins with the artist ceremonially purifying himself, than offering a prayer to ...
What does the mask represent in African initiation?
During initiation ceremonies, the african masks worn, depict an ancestor. The purpose would be to gain favor and to be received into the tribe as a vital member. N’tomo is the spirit of the boys.
What is the purpose of masking?
The purpose is often to receive the guidance and wisdom from the ancestors, or to tell a story or play out a message of the peoples� history.
Where can I see African masks?
For the casual observer, these African masks and other tribal objects can be viewed in museums all over the world. The use of African masks has always had, and continues to have, religious, ceremonial and functional origins. When the African people celebrated, during crops harvest season, when preparing for war or during initiation passages, ...
Who accompanies the dancer in the African rituals?
The translation is provided by a wise man, who accompanies the dancer and deciphers the grunts and utterances. The African love of music, song and dance always plays a central theme in the ceremonies and rituals. These rituals and ceremonies may depict obviously the ancestors, but also the dead, the spirit of animals and other supernatural beings.
What do African masks represent?
They often represent the spirits of ancestors or the gods worshipped in the community. It is believed that the spirits possess the wearer of the mask during the ceremonial dance performance. The dancer, during this period, is in a trance-like state induced by the drumming, singing, dancing, and incantations. A translator, usually a wise man of high status in the community, will aid the communication with the spirits by translating the utterances of the dancer.
What are the most common masks in Africa?
Here are some of the basic types of tribal masks you would find in Africa. • Face mask – The face mask is the most common type of mask. They are crafted in such a way that they cover a part or the whole face. Face masks are securely fitted to the wearer’s face via strings, scarves or bands.
What is the color of the Lulua mask?
The are carved out of wood and dyed with a red pigment to give the mask a rich dark red colour . The top of the mask features the stubs symbolizing power and the hairstyle of the Lulua women which usually have a pointy end.
What is the Lwalwa mask made of?
Lwalwa masks are carved out of a special wood called ‘mulela’ and dyed with a pigment extracted from the fruit of the ‘mukula’ tree. The masks are worn in the bangongo dance of the hunting ritual and during the initiation and circumcision ceremony of adolescent boys and other secular festivities.
What is a biombo mask?
The mask is used to celebrate age and beauty and is often worn at the funerals of women during the season of harvest. 2. Biombo masks. The Biombo are populated in a region south of the intersection of the Kasai and Lulua rivers in the Congo.
Where are the Lwalwa masks from?
The Lwalwa are related to the Lulua people, and they occupy the southwest region of the Congo spreading into Angola. The masks carvers in the community are highly revered members of the society. The typical Lwalwa mask has a distinctive triangular shaped head, small rectangular eyes, a large nose extending from a deeply formed forehead, big protruding lips with a protuberance on each side of the temple that make the ears. The stylized facial features come together to give the mask an almost geometric appearance.
What is the difference between a kota and a kota mask?
Kota figures are easily recognized with their stylized lozenge body shape. Unlike most African masks, Kota masks have distinctive gender differences. Both faces are oval shaped, however, while the males have a convex surface or concave-convex surface, the females on the other end have concave surfaces.
Why are masks important in African culture?
They might serve an important role in rituals or ceremonies to ensure a good harvest, address tribal needs in time of peace or war , or convey spiritual presences in initiation rituals or burial ceremonies. Some masks represent the spirits of deceased ancestors.
What are the decorations on African masks?
Decorations on African masks range from simple to elaborate. Some are decorated with paint, carved surfaces, or adorned with materials like shells and feathers. Others are carved of wood but with the surface left plain. Many African masks are highly stylized with geometric patterns on their surfaces.
What does a mask represent?
Some masks represent the spirits of deceased ancestors. Other symbolize totem animals, creatures important to a certain family or group. In some cultures, like the Kuba culture of Zaire, masks represent specific figures in tribal mythology, like a king or a rival to the ruler.
Why do people wear masks?
People use masks for many reasons. For fun, concealment, and to celebrate holidays , like Halloween and Mardi Gras. But in some places, masks are important cultural objects. This is certainly true of African masks. African masks are made by cultures and tribes found throughout the vast African continent.
Where do African masks live?
They live in parts of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. These masks, adorned with horns that symbolize power and strength, are used for a specific type of dance. So now you know a little bit more about the meaning of African masks and some of the designs that used in their creation.
Who wears the mask?
Usually, the mask is worn by a dancer or participant in the process rather than a spectator. Some masks are worn by men, while others by women. Some forms are worn by both genders. In general, masks tend to represent spirits or beings important to the ritual in which the mask in used.
What are the different types of masks?
There are three basic types of masks, categorized for how they fit on the head and face. One type of mask covers the face , much like old-fashioned plastic Halloween masks familiar to us. Another form is called a helmet mask, which are shaped like a large helmet, cover the entire head.
What is an African mask?
African masks are both popular art pieces in the West and ritual objects in Africa that have played an important role in religion and social customs for millennia. Apr 11, 2020 • By Nicole B. Hansen. Masked performer with zantegeba (baboon) mask, Bamako (national district), MaliA mask imitating a baboon face from Mali.
What are some interesting facts about African masks?
Read on to learn 10 fascinating facts about African masks. 1. Craftsmen Will Make Sacrifices For Protection. A Chokwe adze. Carving and decorating African tribal masks is a tradition that is often passed down from generation to generation of craftsmen. Many tribal masks are carved from wood.
What is an Igbo mask?
These spirits are often dead ancestors or even the spirits of individuals not yet born. Igbo masks in Nigeria. In some cases, the mask and other accouterments cover the entire body so the individual cannot be identified by others. No one mentions the name of the wearer.
What material did Egyptians make their masks out of?
They often fashioned these masks out of cartonnage, a material similar to papier maché. Clay Anubis mask weighing 17 pounds with eye holes for the wearer, dating to Dynasty 30. The ancient Egyptians used masks in rituals in similar ways to modern Africans. Two masks survive depicting the jackal headed god Anubis.
What is a Kamuzu Banda masquerade?
Kamuzu Banda at a political rally that is itself masquerading as a masquerade. Banda dancing the Jngoma, courtesy Dept. of Information, Malawi. Masks are normally worn during dance ceremonies. In some communities, all members of society are required to attend these events.
What is a tribal mask made of?
Many tribal masks are carved from wood. Chopping down a tree to make a mask can be a dangerous activity and a chicken is often sacrificed to the tree before it is cut down. The craftsmen must also appease to the god of iron.
What is mask wear?
Mask Wearing Is A Vital Part Of African Secret Societies And Life Cycle Rituals. Members of the Poro secret society. Africa has a number of secret societies that have a lot of influence in the communities where they are prevalent. These are usually divided into ones for men and women.
Why are African masks important?
Significance of African Masks. The African masks are generally used to represent the spirit of ancestors, deities and mythological creatures. Masks are worn during different ceremonies by dancers to represent these spirits and deities.
What is the history of African masks?
Home / Uncategorized / The History of African Masks You May Have Never Heard Of. Masks were an important part of the tradition of different African tribes. These masks were associated with different kinds of rituals and ceremonies and were an integral part of the tribal culture.
Why are mask ceremonies not held?
Although mask ceremonies are celebrated in today’s times, they are not held as frequently as it used to be in olden times. Loss of tribal identity is the main reason behind the decline in popularity of mask ceremonies. The history and meanings associated with different types of African masks are given below.
Why did the Fang wear the Ngil mask?
People from the ‘Fang’ tribe used to wear the Ngil Mask. This mask was used to initiate new members into the male secret society. Along with initiation, the persecution of wrongdoers was also carried out during such ceremonies. The Fang people indulged into hunting and agriculture.
What is the mask of the Mitsogo?
The Mitsogo Mask is characterized by a whitened face. The mouth, ears and nose are colored reddish-brown. The Mitsogo people to whom this mask belongs come from the mountainous regions of central Gabon. Ancestors of the Mitsogo people were the residents of northern Gabon.
What are African masks made of?
Quick Fact! The African masks are made of wood. The piece of wood used for making a mask is first allowed to dry. If the wood cracks, it is not considered suitable for making masks. A tool called ‘azde’ is used for sculpting the wooden masks. The history of African masks can be traced back to Paleolithic times.
Why do people wear funeral masks?
The Yoruba people of Nigeria believed that Funeral Masks embodied the spirit of the deceased ones. They also believed that a person wearing such masks could speak to the souls of the dead.
What are African masks made of?
They are made of different materials which include leather, fabric and various types of wood. They are a widely sought after part of the different African cultures by art collectors. In fact, some of the most impressive ones take up space in museums ...
What are the shapes of African masks?
The shapes of African masks are also a big part of their design. They can be rectangular, elongated, heart-shaped, oval, circular or even a combination of shapes. Geometric patterns are sometimes used to distinguish male from female masks. For instance, complex braided hairstyles often adorn the head of female masks.
Why are Ngil masks important?
Ngil Mask: These masks are considered important in Ghana’s history. The Fang tribe used to don them to initiate new members into the male secret society. Along with initiation, the persecution of wrongdoers was also carried out during such ceremonies.
What is the purpose of the funeral mask?
Funeral Masks: Used by the Bete and Yoruba people, these masks have the main purpose of keeping sorcerers (feared by the Bete) at bay. The Yoruba people believe that the masks embody the spirit of deceased ones and so feel that a person wearing such masks could speak to the souls of the dead.
What is the significance of the Cameroon mask?
The Gabon people wore it during celebrations and festivals. Cameroon Mask: Carved from a single piece of wood, the Cameroon mask symbolizes plenty and privilege and this is depicted with an open mouth and the full cheeks of the mask. Ngil Mask: These masks are considered important in Ghana’s history.
What is the meaning of the Guro mask?
Guro Mask: From the native people of Ivory Coast who believe that the Mask represents the spirit of ‘Gu’ the wife of a supernatural entity. Punu Mask: A mask associated with the Gabon people, it is painted white and is thought to represent the spirit of ancestors.
What are the different types of African masks?
Types Of African Masks. Face mask: Face masks are used throughout Africa. They are the most common mask type and are secured to the face in a variety of ways. These can be a string, band, secured with a scarf or even held on by a wig. Cap crests: Worn on the forehead leaving the wearer’s face exposed.