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The African mask is considered amongst the finest creations in the art world and is highly sought after by art collectors. Many of the pieces some replica's, can be viewed in museums and art galleries in many parts of the world. Masking ceremonies in Africa have great cultural and traditional significance. Latest developments and understanding of Aesthetic principles, religious and ceremonial values, have brought about a greater insight into the ideas and moral values that African artists express in their art. During celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, war preparation, peace and trouble times, masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. It can be worn in three different ways: vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. The masks often represent a spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer.
How do artists use the elements and principles to create African Masks? • What is a mask? • What are African masks used for? • How are they made? • What are the types of African masks? • Describe the facial features found on African masks.
In Africa we have a wide variety of masks from different tribes and cultures. To bring some clarity and understanding it is helpful to classify them into roughly 8 basic types. Headdress: (A good example would be one from the Ekhoi tribe now classified as part of Elagham Nigeria see image to the left) Artists carve cephalomorphic and zoomorphic mask. The headdress and masks are covered with antelope skin this is one of the main characteristics associated with this tribe. The basket at the base is the shape of the top portion of the head. The costume is normally made of plant fiber and or raffia and covers the entire body of the mask bearer. Face mask: this is the most common type found throughout Africa (see sample image to the right: Chokwe tribe). The mask covers the face and has holes along the side. Before the wearer dons the costume his assistants will rub his/her body with a covering of natural oil, this serve as protection against evil spirits. The mask is then placed over the face and attached to the head opening of the costume. Thereafter a skirt made of vegetable fibers is attached around the waist. In some instances the entire body is covered with fiber or raffia. View the catalog here and the history of the Chokwe here Horizontal plank mask: Bwa tribe Burkino Faso, (see sample image to the right) these types of masks is worn on top of the head and it resembles an owl or bird in flight. The underside is carved to the shape of the head. View the catalog here Helmet Masks is carvedfrom a solid piece of tree trunk, it is hollowed to fit over the head and with carved out openings for the eyes, mouth and nose. This type of mask is commonly found among the Sande - Liberia and the Mende - Sierra Leone. Body or Belly Mask (see image to the left) from the Makonde tribe, Southeastern Tanzania. Carved from a solid tree trunk the hollow fits to the fron of the body. The mask is normally part of the costume of a Ndimu masker and are normally worn by a male masquerader together with a matching face mask.
Ritual masks generally depict deities, spirits of ancestors, mythological beings, good and or evil spirits, the dead, animal spirits, and other beings believed to have power over humanity. Masks of human ancestors or totem ancestors (beings or animals to which a clan or family traces its ancestry) are often objects of family pride; when they are regarded as the dwelling of the spirit they represent, they may be honored with ceremonies and gifts. The dancer (wearer of the mask) goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he "communicate" with his ancestors. A wise man or translator sometimes accompanies the wearer of the mask during the ritual. The dancer brings forth messages of wisdom from his ancestors. Often the messages are grunted utterances and the translator will accurately decipher the message. Rituals and ceremonies are always accompanied with song, dance and music, played with traditional African musical instruments.
BETE Côte d'Ivoire
DAN (DAN-GIOH, GIO, GIOH, GYO, YACOUBA, YACUBA, YAKUBA) Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Guinea
EJAGHAM (EKOI) Nigeria and Cameroon
MOSSI (MOLE, MOOSE, MOSI) Burkina Faso
YORUBA (YORBA, YOROUBA) Nigeria, Republic of Benin and Togo
Sande Society Mask Mende Peoples Sierra Leone Djibouly Mask Mali
Facial features on African masks are often distorted.Distortion is used by artists to create an expressive effect in a work of art. Features can be distorted by bending, twisting, stretching, or warping. You will practice drawing facial features, patterns, and symbols for your masks. Use the examples on the boards or tables to help you. Read the directions carefully. Select and draw five mouths, noses, and eyes. Create five different patterns using, lines, shapes, and color. Select and draw five different symbols to include on your masks. Guided Practice
Symbolic Meanings of Colors
YELLOW in all its variations is associated with the yoke of the egg, ripe and edible fruits and vegetables and also with the mineral gold. In some spiritual purification rituals mashed yarn is rendered yellow with oil palm and served with eggs. It symbolizes sanctity, preciousness, royalty, wealth, spirituality, vitality and fertility.PINK is associated with the female essence of life. It is viewed as red rendered mild and gentle, and therefore associated with tenderness, calmness, pleasantness, and sweetness. According to Akan social thought, these attributes are generally considered as essential aspects of the female essence.RED is associated with blood, sacrificial rites and the shedding of blood. Red-eyed mood means a sense of seriousness, readiness for a serious spiritual or political encounter. Red is therefore used as a symbol of heightened spiritual and political mood, sacrifice and struggle.BLUE is associated with the blue sky, the abode of the Supreme Creator. it is therefore used in a variety of ways to symbolize spiritual sanctity, good fortune, peacefulness, harmony and love related ideas.GREEN is associated with vegetation, planting, harvesting and herbal medicine. Tender green leaves are usually used to sprinkle water during purification rituals. It symbolizes growth, vitality, fertility, prosperity, fruitfulness, abundant health and spiritual rejuvenation.PURPLE is viewed in the same way as maroon. It is considered as earth associated with color used in rituals and healing purposes. It is also associated color used in rituals and healing purposes. It is also associated with feminine aspects of life. Purple cloths are mostly worn by females.
MAROON has a close resemblance to red-brown which is associated with the color of Mother Earth. Red-brown is usually obtained from clay and is therefore associated with healing and the power to repel malevolent spirits.WHITE derives its symbolism from the white part of the egg and from white clay used in spiritual purification, healing, sanctification rites and festive occasions. In some situations it symbolizes contact with ancestral spirits, deities and other unknown spiritual entities such as ghosts. it is used in combination with black, green or yellow to express notion, spirituality, vitality and balance.GRAY derives its symbolism from ash. Ash is used for healing and spiritual cleansing rituals to re-create spiritual balance when spiritual blemish has occurred. It is also used in rituals for protection against malevolent spirits. Grey is therefore associated with spiritual blemish but also with spiritual cleansing.SILVER is associated with the moon which represents the female essence of life. Silver ornaments are usually worn by women and are used in the context of spiritual purification, naming ceremonies, marriage ceremonies and other community festivals. it symbolizes serenity, purity and joy.GOLD derives its significance from the commercial value and social prestige associated with the precious mineral. Gold dust and gold nuggets were used as medium of exchange and for making valuable royal ornaments. It symbolizes royalty, wealth, elegance, high status, supreme quality, glory and spiritual purity.BLACK derives its significance from the notion that new things get darker as they mature; and physical aging comes with spiritual maturity. The Akans blacken most of their ritual objects to increase their spiritual potency. Black symbolizes an intensified spiritual energy, communion with the ancestral spirits, antiquity, spiritual maturity and spiritual potency. Color symbolism within the Akan culture affects the aesthetics of Kente. Colors are chosen for both their visual effect and their symbolic meanings.
The Magic of Mexican Masks The Mexican Indian, in his attempt not only to conceal the face, but more extraordinarily to conceal the naked soul, has created a unique universe of magical masks. Masks are an element in the history of personal and cultural expression. The function of the mask varies from society to society. Some are used for religious purposes to this day. Others are used for drama, dance and healing. Many cultures believe that donning a mask reveals the true inner person and culture. This act is, therefore, really an "unmasking". Others believe that the wearer becomes the actual deity represented by the mask and treat their masks ritually as religious objects. To the Mexican Indian a mask is more than a disguise. It functions as a means of contact with the spirit and protects the community from the malevolence of the unknown and negative forces of nature, while prevailing on the ancestors and the gods to bestow their benevolence in all matters related to life.
In pre-Hispanic Mexico there were no all-evil or all-good entities; all gods were dual, good and evil in one, like nature itself, life-giving but also life-taking. The idea of one good god and one devil is purely a Spanish import, and it is not unusual to find animal masks other than cows bearing horns, which simply means that an animal with already bad connotations like the boar, have the added horns to signify Christian evil as well. Thus masks become an element of utmost importance within the Indian world, providing the catalyst so necessary to keep the required balance of power and fate in the ever changing tide of life events. Many masks depict a combination of human and animal features: jaguars, birds, bats and alligators can be found lurking within the humanized faces. In some instances snakes, lizards and birds emerge subtly from the nose and eyebrows, in others they are full blown entities attached to the face and there are others in which it is almost impossible to discern the animal from the human.
Masks are made of wood, metal, clay, stone and Huichol Indian beaded masks. A few copper repousse´masks (hand hammered and painted or withpatina) can be found. Masks carved from alabaster stone, and unique masks with inlays of turquoise and other native stones are created in the tradition of the pre-hispanic craftsmen.
The Function of Masks • Masks were not formed purely for the purpose of decoration • as portrait masks • secret society rituals • Secret societies can be shaman societies, conjuring societies, war societies, or societies for inducting young people into the tribe • for use in potlatch ceremonies
Mask Making Although the different tribes throughout the Northwest Coast have different traditions and cultures, there are many techniques and styles which are common to the entire region. Traditionally, a maskmaker is an anonymous artisan, always male and always of high status. In order to carve a mask, the artisan would normally go into seclusion in order to concentrate fully on the task of carving the mask. Masks are typically carved from red cedar wood. The artisan must take into careful consideration what shrinkage or warping might occur in his work before measuring for a mask. Another important feature of mask making is painting. The designs painted on masks of the Northwest coast are traditional forms. Forms painted with black paint are typically to add emphasis to facial features, while other colors are added for decoration. Eyes and eyebrows are usually painted black. The paint the artisan used was usually a mixture of lignite, graphite or charcoal (for black), ochre (for red), and copper minerals (for blue or green) with a mixture of chewed, dried salmon eggs. Finally, hair, feathers, gold, straw, skin, or other materials might be added to enhance the mask or make it more realistic.
Mask Forms The tribes of the Northwest coast had masks which depicted many different humans and creatures. There are three kinds of masks, the single face mask, the mechanical mask, and the transformation mask. The single face mask is a single piece of wood. A mechanical mask is built with strings or hinges (after Europeans), which might allow a mask to open and close it~s mouth or eyes. The transformation mask is the most complex kind of mask. It consists of an outer mask that opens up to reveal an inner mask form, which might also open up to reveal a third mask form! Transformations masks are difficult to make and difficult to wear, for the different layers make the mask extremely heavy. Only a strong member of the tribe could wear the transformation mask. The Native Americans formed animal masks to communicate a certain symbolism, myth, or status. In addition, all members of a tribe belonged to a clan, or group of people who supposedly were descended from a specific animal. Therefore, animal masks held special meaning for certain clans.
A Short Guide to important Animals The Raven is considered to be a trickster. He has magical powers and can often create things just by imagining them. The Raven is also considered to be a hero, for it was supposedly the Raven who discovered the first human beings hiding inside a clamshell! Certain masks depict cannibal Ravens which feast on human flesh, which I shall talk about later. The Killer Whale is considered the best hunter of the sea, for it hunts in packs. It is said that when fishermen injures a killer whale, the canoe will capsize and the fisherman will sink down the Village of the Whales where they will be transformed into whales themselves. Bears are considered to be uniquely human in nature. Bear masks are usually smiling and bear images are used on gifts to signify friendship. The thunderbird and eagle are the most powerful of creatures. The only thunderbird or eagle clans are those of high nobles or chiefs. The thunderbird is said to flash lightning bolts out of his eyes and cause thunder when he flaps his wings.
Frog Transformation Mask Pugwis Mask Eagle Ancestor Human Portrait Mask Bear Clan Dancer Eagle Mask Tlingit War Helmet (Hawk)
