MASKS OF AFRICA Text taken from The Art of African Masks by
Carol Finley Lerner Publishing Company Minneapolis, MN 1999
Slide 2
Mask making is a major tradition in West and Central Africa.
Many people in African countries use masks for ceremonial and
religious purposes. The purpose of a mask is not only to conceal
the identity of the wearer. The mask actually creates a new
identity one from the spirit world. Many Africans use masks in
public ceremonies such as funerals, harvest celebrations, acts of
thanksgiving, coming of age ceremonies, and other rituals.
Slide 3
WOOD IS THE MOST COMMON MATERIAL FOR MAKING AFRICAN MASKS. Most
of the masks available for study are no more than 100 years old
because wood rarely lasts longer than that in a tropical
climate.
Slide 4
Masks are not portraits of people. The shape of a mask is
traditional. Mask makers generally conform to existing models of
masks rather than create their own designs. A design that evidently
pleased the spirits in the past is usually followed carefully. The
similarity allows the desired spirit to recognize the mask and come
to dwell in it.
Slide 5
AFRICAN MASKS CAN BE DESIGNED TO COVER THE HEAD, JUST THE FACE,
OR BE USED AS A HEADDRESS. NOT ALL MASKS ARE LIFE-SIZE. THEY CAN BE
GIGANTIC OR VERY SMALL.
Slide 6
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT CULTURES IN AFRICA, EACH WITH ITS OWN
MASK MAKING TRADITION. What are some differences in appearance
between these three masks?
Slide 7
THE BWA LIVE IN BURKINA FASO AND MALI IN WEST AFRICA. THEIR
CULTURE IS BASED ON AGRICULTURE. THE BWA MAKE A RANGE OF MASKS
CARVED FROM WOOD AND PAINTED WITH GEOMETRIC SHAPES AND PATTERNS.
SOME ARE 6 OR 7 FEET HIGH. THEY ARE WORN DURING FUNERAL CEREMONIES
AND PLANTING AND HARVESTING RITUALS.
Slide 8
Slide 9
THIS BWA MASK IS CALLED A HAWK MASK. THE DANCER WHO WEARS IT
USES A SPIRAL MOTION TO TWIST HIS HEAD SO THE MASK APPEARS TO SPIN.
Some Bwa masks represent supernatural flying creatures that live in
the bush.. These benevolent spirits provide protection and
blessings to the families who possess their particular masks.
Slide 10
THIS IS A BWA SUN MASK. LIKE THE HAWK MASKS, IT USES A PATTERN
OF GEOMETRIC SHAPES.
Slide 11
BWA MASKS
Slide 12
THE DAN LIVE IN NORTHERN LIBERIA AND WESTERN IVORY COAST. THEY
FARM THEIR LAND AND HAVE A REPUTATION FOR HAVING FIERCE WARRIORS,
FEARED BY NEIGHBORING SOCIETIES. THE DAN BELIEVE THE WORLD HAS TWO
REALMS: ONE MADE UP OF VILLAGES WHERE HUMANS LIVE AND THE OTHER THE
FOREST, HOME TO WILD ANIMALS AND BUSH SPIRITS.
Slide 13
Slide 14
DAN CARVERS MAKE A VARIETY OF MASKS THAT EMBODY THE SPIRIT GLE,
WHOSE HOME IS THE FOREST. A MASK IS MADE AS A RESULT OF A DREAM
BROUGHT BY A FOREST SPIRIT WHO WANTS TO HAVE A FORM IN ORDER TO
TAKE PART IN VILLAGE LIFE. Female Spirit Gle Mu Mask
Slide 15
DAN MASKS
Slide 16
THE WE LIVE IN IVORY COAST AND LIBERIA. THEY ARE KNOWN FOR
THEIR ABILITIES AS HEALERS WHO USE MEDICINAL PLANTS FOUND IN THEIR
FOREST HABITAT. THEY USE FIERCE LOOKING MASKS TO CONTACT GUARDIAN
SPIRITS THROUGH THE SPIRITS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.
Slide 17
Slide 18
This We mask is called a Gela (The Ancient One). The many horns
in this particular mask increase its fierceness.
Slide 19
WE MASKS ARE OFTEN USED IN PERFORMANCES THAT TEACH THE WISDOM
OF THE ELDERS.
Slide 20
WE MASKS
Slide 21
THE YORUBA ARE AN ETHNIC GROUP WHO LIVE IN SOUTH-WESTERN
NIGERIA. YORUBA ARTISTS ARE SKILLED AT MAKING OBJECTS FROM GLASS
BEADS. ONLY THE KING HAD THE RIGHT TO WEAR A BEADED HEADDRESS. This
crown has a face designed on it. A bird sits on top of the crown,
gazing down on the king.
Slide 22
Slide 23
THE BENIN PEOPLE ARE PART OF THE YORUBA CIVILIZATION. THIS
BENIN MASK IS MADE FROM IVORY.
Slide 24
Yoruba Masks
Slide 25
THE LUBA ARE ONE ETHNIC GROUP THAT LIVES IN THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO. ARTISTS OCCUPY A HIGH PLACE IN LUBA SOCIETY
AND SOME ARE THOUGHT TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT MAGIC. Luba masks
are often shaped like a sphere. The mask is used during funerals
and ceremonies honoring ancestors.
