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AFRICAN MASKS

Key Characteristics of African Masks

African Masks

shapematerials

colours

adornment or

decoration

inspiration or meaning

patterntexture

Shapes and their meanings

Masks come in all sorts of shapes and proportions. These have hidden meanings: eyes wide shut and lines near the mouth represent tranquillity.Masks with small eyes and mouths represent humility and humbleness.A bulging forehead represents wisdom. Other masks that have exaggerated long faces and broad foreheads symbolize power. War masks are also popular. Some tribes carve masks with round eyes to represent alertness and anger.

Some ideas for different shapes….

Useful websites:

www.ancientafricanmasks.com

www.artyfactory.co.uk/africanmasks/

www.design-africa.com/masks/masksmain.html

Bold pattern, either painted or carved, is a powerful and expressive element in African mask design. Most patterns tend to be geometrical and symmetrical.Pattern is often used as a form of coded information (symbolism or secret meanings).

Circular patterns

The use of patterns

•Parallel, zigzag, cruciform (crosses), curved and spiral lines, representing scarification marks (decorative scars on skin) or tattoos, are used to show importance or religious / magical powers.•Different geometric patterns are sometimes used to distinguish between male and female masks.

•Square and triangular checkerboard grids are often carved to decorate sections of a design.

Carved wooden masks: scarification patterns

Animal, bird and reptile shapes were used to represent different spirits, gods or creatures from ancient stories

Animal Masks

People of tribal Africa are very close to nature and through their myths and beliefs have created a powerful relationship with the animal world. Many animals are associated with spirits. Spirits can hear, see and speak and very often appear in African art disguised as animals. Animals play an important role in the life of African people. Animal masks take part in the majority of ceremonies and are the core of many African tales.

Some masks are made to look like animals. These masks show the strong bond between the African community and nature. Masks have always been used to show this bond.

MaterialsTraditional, African materials

Wood

Metal (bronze)

ClayShells

Beads

FeathersCloth

Metal (bronze) masks

Masks and costume

Masks are usually worn with a costume or head-dress to completely hide the true identity of the person wearing them, and to make the effect more dramatic. Materials can include shells, hair, cloth, leather, beads and modern materials like plastic.

The ‘Kanaga’ masks of the Dogon people

In Dogon territory, if someone important dies, then after the 'first funeral' the family will organise a masked dance – a ‘dama’. The time in-between the person dying and the dama is seen to be dangerous for the family and their village, as it is believed that the dead person’s spirit roams homeless amongst them and brings bad forces.

The function of the dama, is to master the secret force that comes from the dead person and send it through the medium of masks, songs and dances to the sacred places. At the end of the dama the dead person will belong to the ranks of ancestors and peace will come to the village. Sometimes the dama may last as long as 6 days.

The members of the Awa— a mask society—repaint or carve afresh the masks that they will wear. away from the village, in rocky shelters or in the bush. The hoods and the short skirts for the costumes are made from tree bark and the long skirts from bush fibres. These are plaited and dyed black, red or yellow. Cowrie shells and other ornaments are fixed to the hoods and masks.

Surface textures and decorative details: string, feathers, wool, beads, card and sawdust

Metalwork, shells, beads

and gold paint are used to decorate or adorn some

masks

Think about the colour and surface of your mask:Natural earthy colours like browns, blacks, dark reds and yellows …or…Bright, ceremonial, dramatic colours like blues, greens, bright yellow, red and white?Rough …or smooth? Matt …or shiny?

GOMA MASK

Goma masks are known for their large eyes. They are worn during tribal rituals.

BIOMBO MASK

Biombo masks are usually worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies. The points

on top represent the Biombo hairstyle.

DAN MASK

Dan masks are used for protection and as a connection to the

spirit world.

Some AFRICAN tribes

DUMA

Gabon

BOA

Republic

of Congo

BAGA

Guinea Bissau

AFRICAN ART

Each African tribe

produces its own art, music and dance to show its

beliefs and traditions.

MASKSMasks were

very important. They were

used in ceremonies

and festivals.

Dance

Masks are worn during dances. The mask is believed to channel a spirit through the dancer. This spirit responds to the music and influences the dancers movements.

BOA tribe live in the Congo, in the Savannah

The Boa tribe used their masks in war ceremonies, to enhance the warrior’s courage or to celebrate victories.

DUMA tribe of GABON

•They believe in a God who made the world.•They worship spirits and ghosts•Masks were used for celebration dances and rituals.

• They create wooden mother-and-child figures

• They were carried by women who want to become pregnant and to give birth to a beautiful child.

ASHANTI tribe of GHANA

BAGA tribe of West Africa

Baga craftsmen carve bird heads with human features that were used at harvest time and at funeral ceremonies.