Masks have long played a vital role in African cultural life. African masks are in fact dramatic demonstrations of the spirits of departed ancestors, and believed to have hidden powers of social control.
They are made according to traditional style and worn by trained performers, often with elaborate costumes, to teach and to inspire reverence for cultural history, seek protection by honoring women ancestors, and celebrate a good harvest. The ceremonial events express important social, religious, and moral values of the whole community, and the mask’s artistic and symbolic details show the same.
Masks are generally hand-crafted by well-trained artisans. In Kenya masks are made of glazed terra, whereas in other African countries, wooden masks are used. In Ghana, the Eket tribe hand-carves love masks from ‘sese’ wood, which is believed to bring love to one who displays it. Sese wood is commonly found in Ghana, and is very durable.
The use of wood in African masks has a very long history. Traditional African beliefs say that trees are living objects with souls, which provide a life source to masks carved from them. So before carving a mask, the carver consults his spiritual advisors, undergoes a purification ceremony and offers a sacrifice to please the spirit of the trees. When the tree is cut down, the mask carver chews some of the sap to achieve brotherhood with the tree. The carver believes that all these activities help in the betterment of his craftsmanship, and increase harmony with nature and the gods.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
African Tribal Art
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsOne of the most common themes that are depicted in African art is that of a stranger, which signifies the premium that Africans place on the tribe to which they belong. Another way of depicting a tribe’s unique set of beliefs is to depict them...
Read More -
Theatre Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsTheatre Masks were used in ancient Roman and Greek dramas to portray characters. Each theatre mask had its own shape and color to refer to the character and the emotion. Masks of comedy and tragedy are well known and are a sign of theatre even...
Read More -
Party Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsParty masks are used for fun and pleasure on occasions like Christmas, New Year’s, Halloween, Mardi Gras or even birthdays. On these occasions, fancy dress costumes, wigs, and accessories are used, but masks are the easiest, shortest and cheapest way to enjoy a party. Party...
Read More -
Gorilla Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsDisguise masks are for theatrical and ceremonial purposes, whereas protective masks are more practical, like gas masks for miners, steel masks for welders and catcher’s masks in baseball games. But masks are not only for shielding and concealing. They also have another, much more entertaining...
Read More -
Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsMasks have been used in many cultures and civilizations since time immemorial to hide or to protect human faces. These are remarkable objects, created by the imaginative members of traditional civilizations. The tradition of masks dates back to the early 6th century B.C. It was...
Read More -
Feather Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsMasks have a long and illustrious history. They were used widely for theatrical and other purposes in Greece and Rome during the sixth century B.C. During the medieval period, in Rome, masks were used to practice hedonism without being identified by one’s neighbors. Even clergymen,...
Read More -
Oxygen Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsOxygen masks are effective oxygen delivery device which is used mainly to supply oxygen from a storage tank to the lungs. Usually, this device is a mask or covering of the nose and mouth which is made of plastic silicon and rubber. Many people make...
Read More -
Surplus Gas Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsSurplus gas masks, old, discontinued, out of use gas masks are available from a wide variety of mail order firms that specialize in army surplus equipment. There are army surplus retail outlets and literally hundreds of internet websites. If there is ever a time to...
Read More -
African Art
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsDifferent art genres have different themes that distinguish them from other genres. This is because these themes often reflect the culture of the place where the art genre originated. They represent things that are significant to that culture. One example of such a genre is...
Read More -
Snorkeling Masks
10 August 2010 8:30 PM | No CommentsSnorkeling masks are used to allow the snorkeler to see underwater, at the same time keep water out of his eyes. The mask should be a good fit and should seal properly on the face to prevent leaks. Snorkeling masks are made of chiefly poly...
Read More