The Africans used to wear such masks in 3 different ways. O ur African Mask Lessons will introduce you to a range of African masks and the people who use them: A frican masks should be seen as part of a ceremonial costume. Three mask types exist: two male and one female. Two such masks also survive. It’s just that they aren’t preserved in the archaeological record. In Sierra Leone and elsewhere, small eyes and mouth represent humility, and a wide, protruding forehead represents wisdom. (19, 20). Female masks of the Punu people of Gabon, for example, have long curved eyelashes, almond-shaped eyes, thin chin, and traditional ornaments on their cheeks, as all these are considered good-looking traits. Another common subject of African masks is a woman's face, usually based on a specific culture's ideal of feminine beauty. Masks representing dead ancestors play an important role in African funerals. [11] As veneration of the dead is most often associated with fertility and reproduction, many dead-ancestor masks also have sexual symbols; the ndeemba mask of the Yaka people (Angola and DR Congo), for example, is shaped after a skull complemented with a phallic-shaped nose. For the mask to be endowed with its intended powers, it needed to be consecrated by a priest, medicine man or magician. Some are very small, some are life-size, and others are gigantic. What are the different types of African masks? These rituals can last for hours and are accompanied by dancing and singing. Their history dates back to many centuries ago, and they were used in religious rituals, festivals, and theaters. In Europe, the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, Musée d'Ethnographie du Trocadéro in Paris and the British Museum all have excellent collections. Yoruba tribal marks In Yoruba communities, children are born into particular clans. Enlarged facial features; Symmetrical design; Checkboard patterns; They are twisted, parallel, curved. These show masks that look a lot like contemporary West African masks and date to about 11,000 years ago. At first, Europeans treated masks as ethnographic objects, and displayed them in natural history museums alongside taxidermied animals, exotic plant remains and fossils. For example, both the Bwa and the Buna people of Burkina Faso have hawk masks, with the shape of the beak identifying a mask as either Bwa or Buna. Here presents 9 types of Japanese traditional masks and their meanings. Masks of the lion-headed god Bes also were used in rituals, including perhaps puberty rituals, as depicted in one tomb where a masked individual accompanied dancing boys. The general structure of a mask varies depending on the way it is intended to be worn. Tikar masks, with their ritual scarification's and formalized hair styles, are some of the most desirable in African art. A fact sheet and matching powerpoint showing the different types of African masks and what their purposes and meanings are. Animal hair or straw are often used for a mask's hair or beard. African Mask History And Meaning. (1). Our African mask lessons teach you about different styles of masks, who makes them, how they are made, and where they come from. https://www.kunst-aus-westafrika.com/scondjwin-dagnogo-images. To honor his dead mother, the king wore the mask on his hip during special ceremonies. Masks are also worn during rites of passage, such as mass circumcision of boys or during initiation into secret societies. The earliest evidence we have for masking in Africa comes from rock paintings in Algeria at Tassili n'Ajjer. [3] Feminine masks of the Baga people have ornamental scars and breasts. By the early 20th century, the same masks came to be regarded as art objects and were collected by and displayed in art museums. These art objects were, and are still made of various materials, included are leather, metal, fabric and various types of wood. Traditional masks have been playing an important role in the Japanese society. African masks are one of the oldest known forms of art. These masks are kept in special huts and are brought out and danced primarily during the funerals of important individuals of the society. [4] Influences of this heritage can also be found in other traditions such as South- and Central American masked Carnival parades. In fact, some of the most impressive ones take up space in museums and art galleries all over the world. We don’t know how these masks were used though. Wood is plentiful in Africa’s forests. 8. (18). African masks are extremely important cultural elements for the diverse peoples of Africa, especially for sub-Saharan countries in the southern Sahara desert. You have to be careful when buying an African mask as forgeries are common. The wearer of the mask is often believed to be able to communicate to the being symbolized by it, or to be possessed by who or what the mask represents. After a visit to the ethnographic museum in Paris, Pablo Picasso also started collecting masks and went through a period when he painted paintings that were inspired by them. In many cases, wearing masks that represent feminine beauty is strictly reserved to men. Female masks of the Punu people of Gabon, for example, have long curved eyelashes, almond-shaped eyes, thin chin, and traditional ornaments on their cheeks, as all these are considered good-looking traits. African masks can be considered as one of the greatest works of art in Africa. Trees are thought to possess a soul and therefore it is a good material to house the spirit of the mask. Face masks are the most common, but there are others like helmet masks, forehead masks, headdress masks, shoulder masks, and helmet crest masks. Used with my mixed Year 3 & 4 class when desigining their own African masks during our Ghana topic. Here is a video example of just one way to make your own African mask! The gods told them that the mask was no longer spiritually empowered so the museum put the mask on display with the family’s blessing. 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! [14], Ngil mask from Gabon or Cameroon; wood colored with kaolin (chiny clay); by Fang people; Ethnological Museum of Berlin (Germany). Including Day of the Dead, African masks, Masquerade masks, Samurai warrior masks... etc. https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?partid=1&assetid=229649001&objectid=111363. To use the mask, the Zulu whisper their deepest secrets to the mask -- those secrets considered too precious or dangerous to tell any other member of the tribe. Antelopes have a fundamental role in many cultures of the Mali area (for example in Dogon and Bambara culture) as representatives of agriculture. They represent ancestors or important figures within their culture. [5], One of the well-known representations of female beauty is the Idia mask of Benin. (9), During three day long funerals of the Senufo tribe in Côte d’Ivoire, members of the secret male Poro society wear these masks while beating on drums next to the funerary bed. The traditional religion of the Dogon people of Mali, for example, comprises three main cults (the Awa or cult of the dead, the Bini or cult of the communication with the spirits, and the Lebe or cult of nature); each of these has its pantheon of spirits, corresponding to 78 different types of masks overall. However, several common meanings can be found for three colors: red, white and black. Others are worn like hats on the top of the wearer's head; examples include those of the Ekhoi people of Nigeria and Bwa people of Burkina Faso, as well as the famous chiwara masks of the Bambara people. African masks are arguably the most recognized artifacts or craft items from the African continent. The demand for masks by tourists visiting Africa is so great that even in East Africa where they are less common, masks based on West African designs are sold in markets. L-R: Bauta Barocco Gold, Bauta Barocco Silver, Bauta CeraLooks like: It’s got a square-ish jaw, large chin, and no mouth. (15). People are not even allowed to speak the name of the mask wearer because he is subsumed in the mask spirit's identity. [15], Ritual and ceremonial mask of Sub-Saharan Africa, This idea has been literally portrayed in the well-known novel, Analogies between Nigerian ceremonies and the. These ceramic funerary masks had holes behind the ears to fit them over the face of the deceased person. However, there is an alternative for those who don’t have a lot of money to spend and don’t want to worry about legalities but want to get started collecting African masks. Others represent male or female figures. May be a useful starting point for art, photography, history etc. African masks represent spirits of the dead, and spirits representing natural phenomena. Some examples of known African masks and their meanings: Funeral Masks : Used by the Bete and Yoruba people, these masks have the main purpose of keeping sorcerers (feared by the Bete) at bay. It is believed to have been commissioned by King Esigie of Benin in memory of his mother. Masks that represent animals are popular. Some masks represent the spirits of deceased ancestors. (5), Private collection of author (Okuyi mask from Gabon) - Sydney, Australia (wikipedia.org/wiki/okuyi/), The okuyi mask is worn among the Bantu people of Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea during rites of passage such as infants reaching 4 months of age, adolescence, and funerals. For many centuries African Tribal masks, played a major role in rituals, celebrations, ceremonial and tribal initiations. If they refuse, he sends his lawyers after them. As a consequence, the traditional art of mask-making has gradually ceased to be a privileged, status-related practice, and mass production of masks has become widespread. They will feature in many museums, art galleries and also craft for sale. They are made of different materials which include leather, fabric and various types of wood. [5], Animals are common subjects in African masks. Making an African mask is a great art project for kids that also helps them learn about cultures. Red is often used to represent blood spilled during wars or childbirth. What are the characteristics of African masks? The inherent lack of realism in African masks (and African art in general) is justified by the fact that most African cultures clearly distinguish the essence of a subject from its looks, the former, rather than the latter, being the actual subject of artistic representation. The most common animal used for masks are buffalo, hyena, crocodile, and antelo pe. Some examples of known African masks and their meanings: Funeral Masks: Used by the Bete and Yoruba people, these masks have the main purpose of keeping sorcerers (feared by the Bete) at bay. You can get in touch with us on support@afrikanza.com. Animal masks, their features elongated and formalized, are common in western Africa. [5] The Grebo of the Ivory Coast carve masks with round eyes to represent alertness and anger, with the straight nose representing an unwillingness to retreat. Dried grass, woven palm fibres, coconuts, and shells, as well as wood are employed in the masks of New Guinea, New Ireland, and New Caledonia. Masks in Motion, the West African Masquerade. They also served the purpose of reminding people of their rules of society as well as acting as a spiritual arbiter in cases involving village disputes. Made from two sheets of gold: the face and neck are made from 18.4-carat gold and the rest is made from 22.5-carat gold. (8), Made by the Makonde people of Tanzania and Mozambique, these helmet masks featured prominently in rituals used during different life stages of children. It is decorated with a number of precious stones. (12), https://blackhawkmuseum.org/art-of-africa/. While, in most cases, commercial masks are (more or less faithful) reproductions of traditional masks, this connection is weakening over time, as the logics of mass-production make it harder to identify the actual geographical and cultural origins of the masks found in such venues as curio shops and tourist markets. The African mask plays a constant sacred role in the life of the individual from early childhood until burial. African masks are usually shaped after a human face or some animal's muzzle, albeit rendered in a sometimes highly abstract form. You can decorate it with paint, feathers, cotton, yarn, buttons, and tinfoil. A few West African peoples believe, in fact, that the creators of masks are potentially capable of using the object’s supernatural powers to cause harm to others. Contemporary artists like Sefah Mohamed from Accra, and Abdul Aziz Mohamadu, sell their handmade masks at affordable prices online. The Zulu people call some of their masks "secret masks" because legend says that they hold the secrets of the people near the mask. Sometimes an offering or sacrifice is even made to the tree’s soul before it is chopped down. In most traditional African cultures, the person who wears a ritual mask conceptually loses his or her human life and turns into the spirit represented by the mask itself. Traditional African masks play an important role in certain traditional African rituals and ceremonies. to ask wild beasts to stay away from the village); in many cases, nevertheless, an animal is also (sometimes mainly) a symbol of specific virtues. One of the most enduring and fascinating aspects of African culture is masks. African masks also serve as educational tools, as part of rituals to teach social roles and physical control or to settle disputes. The spirits that take up residence in the masks can be ancestors or natural entities. Only through these rituals, which often involved adding magical substances to the mask, would the spirits who were intended to dwell in the mask take up their abode there. They are not meant to represent actual people or even animals. Download Free African Symbols Vectors and other types of African Symbols graphics and clipart at FreeVector.com! The koro mask lacks any human or animal representations, in keeping with Islamic scripture. She consulted the descendants of the family that had fashioned the mask on what to do. Attending an African masquerade is a special experience that generally requires being part of African societies. While the specific implications associated with ritual masks widely vary in different cultures, some traits are common to most African cultures. 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. African Masks: Structure, Expression, Style PAUL S. WINGERT Masks are among the most ubiqui-tous art forms in Africa south of the Sahara. The number of types of African masks probably reaches into the hundreds, primarily among the cultures of West and Central Africa. (3), Mask (Nwantantay), Burkina Faso, Black Volta River region, Bwa peoples. They can be oval, circular, rectangular, elongated, heart-shaped, animal or human, or any combination of these. Bambara antelope masks (called chiwara) have long horns representing the thriving growth of millet, legs (representing roots), long ears (representing the songs sung by the working women at harvest time), and a saw-shaped line that represents the path followed by the Sun between solstices. A priest wore a mask of the jackal-god Anubis mask during funerary rituals, which are depicted in Egyptian art. Carving a mask with an adze. As they are worn across many different cultures, the colors of African masks have multiple meanings. African art and masks of the Tikar. They are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community. For example, the Bwa and Nuna peoples in Burkina Faso make crocodile, eagle, and buffalo masks. There are many types, meanings, uses and materials that make up these pieces, and the same people can have several different masks. Some masks are painted (for example using ochre or other natural colorants). Covers the full face and is often either heavily gilded or stark white.Historically: Standardized Venetian disguise required at political decision-making events, thereby ensuring anonymity.For: Men who want to get lost in a crowd, and break a few rules.Wear it to: That party where you want to make an impression when you bump into that special someone. However, some African museums also display collections of masks. personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Physical characteristics of African Tribal Masks, Genesis: ideas of origin in African sculpture, For spirits and kings: African art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman collection, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Traditional_African_masks&oldid=992137583, Wikipedia articles with style issues from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on African masks, This page was last edited on 3 December 2020, at 18:19. Unique African Tribal Tattoo Design: The tattoo design looks very attractive and depicting the tribal era where in hardworking women’s are carrying eatable on their head. In both cases, the hawk's wings are decorated with geometric patterns that have moral meanings; saw-shaped lines represent the hard path followed by ancestors, while chequered patterns represent the interaction of opposites (male-female, night-day, and so on)[5], Traits representing moral values are found in many cultures. He then makes them an offer to buy it at the same price. [12], A special class of ancestor masks are those related to notable, historical or legendary people. Masks are one of the elements of great African art that have most evidently influenced European and Western art in general; in the 20th century, artistic movements such as cubism, fauvism and expressionism have often taken inspiration from the vast and diverse heritage of African masks. [6] Some masks (for example those of the Sande society of Liberia and the Mende people of Sierra Leone, that are made from hollow tree stumps) are worn like helmets covering both the head and face. The earliest evidence of them is in the form of rock art from 11,000 years ago but they may be even older than that. Despite their timeless existence, many people are not well-versed with the craft items. The most famous of these is the boy king Tutankhamun’s gold funerary mask, which was placed on his mummy and weighed a whopping 22.5 pounds (10 kilos). However, critics have complained that these works are examples of cultural appropriation and that the original craftsmen who produced the masks were never compensated for their contribution to these works. History of African Masks. The mwaash ambooy mask of the Kuba people (DR Congo), for example, represents the legendary founder of the Kuba Kingdom, Woot, while the mgady amwaash mask represents his wife Mweel.[13]. The meaning of African Masks always have a spiritual meaning and connection. The curator and the family conducted a divination ceremony with the gods as part of the decision making process. There are three known types of masks depicting animal-headed gods from ancient Egypt. For example, the Poro secret societies of the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast have masks that celebrate the exceptional power of the society by merging three different "danger" symbols: antelope horns, crocodile teeth, and warthog fangs. African masks take on many forms. [9] Another well-known example is that of kifwebe masks of the Songye people (Congo basin), that mix the stripes of a zebra (or okapi), the teeth of a crocodile, the eyes of a chameleon, the mouth of an aardvark, the crest of a rooster, the feathers of an owl and more. These masks are mainly used for depicting the moral and psychological characteristics of an individual. A well-known example is the mwana pwo (literally, "young woman") of the Chokwe people (Angola), that mixes elements referring to feminine beauty (well-proportioned oval face, small nose and chin) and other referring to death (sunken eye sockets, cracked skin, and tears); it represents a female ancestor who died young, venerated in rites such as circumcision rites and ceremonies associated to the renewal of life. Facial marks determine what rights the person has to contribute to the well-being of … [6], Another common subject of African masks is a woman's face, usually based on a specific culture's ideal of feminine beauty. As the tempo accelerates, the ground pulsates, colors swirl, the dust kicks up, and whatever divide exists between the corporeal and the incorporeal, the spiritual and the mundane, the temporal and the intemporal dissolves. Artists use various materials to make African masks. Rather, they are part of a ceremonial costume. In most cases, mask-making is an art that is passed on from father to son, along with the knowledge of the symbolic meanings conveyed by these masks. Some masks represent animals, either in their form or by incorporating actual parts of animals into their production. (17). The mask maker is enjoined to work within long-established bounds, using particular forms, traditional imagery, and formal conventions. African masks are one of the richest and most diverse artistic traditions in the world. The most important material used in mask making is wood. By copying these carefully, the artists believe that they will attract other spirits to dwell in them. Merging distinct animal traits together is sometimes a means to represent unusual, exceptional virtue or high status. Collecting African art and masks, in particular, became en vogue among famous 20th century European and American artists. In most cultures, the mask maker was a respected member of society. African Masks. Sometimes the patterns represent scarification of the face that is common in some African cultures. Worn with full costume in a night masquerade to settle disputes and quell misbehavior, this calm visage was terrifying to wrong-doers, BaKongo masks from the Kongo Central region, Zoomorphic mask as depicted on a Makurian mural from Old Dongola (12th/13th century), Wabele mask, Senufo people, Brooklyn Museum, Doei (or Kwere), female ancestor mask, Tanzania, A copper and wood mask from Central Africa, Helmet Mask for Sande Society Brooklyn Museum, Commercial masks for sale a in a shop in the Mwenge Makonde market, Dar es Salaam, As African masks are largely appreciated by Europeans, they are widely commercialized and sold in most tourist-oriented markets and shops in Africa (as well as "ethnic" shops in the Western World). African masks are not simply beautiful artistic objects to be admired. Masks play a central role in masquerades, during which the mask wearers danced accompanied by music. Masks serve an important role in rituals or ceremonies with varied purposes like ensuring a good harvest, addressing tribal needs in time of peace or war, or conveying spiritual presences in initiation rituals or burial ceremonies. As they are worn across many different cultures, the colors of African masks have multiple meanings. A wide array of ornamental items can be applied to the mask surface; examples include animal hair, horns, or teeth, sea shells, seeds, straw, egg shell, and feathers. When considering a mask in the Brooklyn Museum collection for an exhibition, the curator discovered that the mask, donated to the museum in 1998, had actually been stolen from a shrine in Nigeria in 1948. The work of the African tribal artists who made the African masks was believed to be deeply spiritual and the artists were highly respected in their societies. [8], A common variation on the animal-mask theme is the composition of several distinct animal traits in a single mask, sometimes along with human traits. (13), President Emmanuel Macron of France commissioned a report on the restitution of sub-Saharan African art to Africa and the authors recommended that art in French museums either be temporarily or permanently returned to the continent from whence it came. If you want to buy a historical & authentic African mask, be prepared to shell out a good sum of money. For example, Congolese businessman Sindika Dokolo has been tracking stolen masks since 2014. (6), The nkanda of the Democratic Republic of Congo wear these masks during puberty and circumcision rites. Many agricultural societies and associations in Mali have a stylized representation of an antelope in their symbols. Male masks are distinguished by a striated pattern of three colors while the female is predominantly white with the features accented in black and some in red. Many museums struggle with the ethics of collecting and displaying African masks, due to the way in which some of the masks were collected and the spiritual implications of the masks. The function of ancient Egyptian masks, however, is better known. Below is a sampling of ten types of masks, their uses and the cultures with which they are associated. Throughout ancient Egyptian history, funerary masks of lesser artistic quality were placed on mummies of common people. Making African masks needs great knowledge and great skills. Those that represent women generally take on an idealized view of female beauty. Among these are Man Ray’s surrealist photo Noire et Blanche, one of many photographs he produced that featured West African artworks that he collected. [10], As the veneration of defunct ancestors is a fundamental element of most African traditional cultures, it is not surprising that the dead is also a common subject for masks. Antelope = agriculture, enable better crops Elephant = wealth, success Lion = royalty Zebra = unity Read on and you will learn everything you need to know about the African mask tradition. A overview of different types of masks around the world and their meanings, with pictures. They are a widely sought after part of the different African cultures by art collectors. It is often the case that the artistic quality and complexity of a mask reflects the relative importance of the portrayed spirit in the systems of beliefs of a particular people; for example, simpler masks such as the kple kple of the Baoulé people of Côte d'Ivoire (essentially a circle with minimal eyes, mouth and horns) are associated with minor spirits.[3]. While the face represents ideal female beauty, the beard indicates that women are equal to men in their knowledge. Tiriki circumcision ceremony in Kenya, where boys are secluded for four weeks. They come to life, possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and are enhanced by the music, color and atmosphere of the occasion. African masks come in all different colours, such as red, black, orange, and brown. Some of these masks are stolen and Africans are increasingly engaging in campaigns to get them back. Some of the best museums outside Africa to view African masks include the National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC, and the Brooklyn Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (they also have a collection from the now-defunct, Museum of Primitive Art in New York). Not everyone can create and design an African Mask. Among the museums where you can see masks in Africa is the National Museum of Burkina Faso or the newly inaugurated National Museum in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mask (Kanaga), Mali, Dogon peoples, 20th century, wood, fiber, hide, pigment, 53.6 x 97.2 x 15.9 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), The Kanaga mask is a funerary mask worn by the Dogon people of Mali intended to ensure the safe passage of the deceased to the otherworld where his ancestors are. A detailed list of Adinkra symbols and their meanings in Ghana ⭐ADINKRA SYMBOLS⭐are a great representation of cultural expression, concepts, and traditional mythology of Asante or Ashanti people in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Decorative elements they apply to masks include cowrie shells, beads, bone, animal skins, feathers, and vegetable fibers. Requires being part of rituals to teach social roles and physical control or to settle disputes paintings! Jackal-God Anubis mask during funerary rituals, which are depicted in Egyptian art eagle, and are... 20Th century European and American artists of his mother t know how these masks tribe. 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