Table of Contents
What do feathers represent on an African mask?
African Mask Information Wooden masks from Africa are worn mostly by men. Feathers, shells and costumes create a sense of “other-worldliness”. The masked dance often marks the passing from one age group to another. These ritual and ceremonial events are an important part of tribal culture.
What do African masks symbolism?
African masks are used in rituals and ceremonies. In general, masks tend to represent spirits or beings important to the ritual in which the mask in used. 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.
What are the key characteristics of African masks?
Characteristics of African Masks Parallel, zigzag, cruciform, curved and spiral lines, representing scarification marks or tattoos, are frequently used to adorn the planes of the mask face. These could represent social status or have magical or religious powers.
What are three different forms of African masks?
Common types of African masks include face masks, which fit over the front of the wearer’s face; helmet masks, which fit over the entire head; and forehead masks, which work like hats that sit horizontally on top of the head with the wearer’s face covered by fabric.
What do traditional masks symbolize?
Some masks represent the spirits of deceased ancestors. 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.
What is a type of African mask?
Chokwe mask ~ Songye mask ~ Punu mask ~ Goli mask ~ Shona mask ~ Teke mask ~ Fang mask ~ Tikar mask ~ Bauole mask ~ Guro mask ~ Maasai mask ~ Swazi mask ~Kwele mask. Many African societies see African masks as mediators between the living world and the supernatural world of the dead, ancestors and other entities.
What are biombo masks used for?
Biombo masks are usually worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies. The Biombo live south of the inter-section of the Luala and Kasai rivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Teke moon shaped masks are worn by members of the Kiduma – a secret society that takes charge of social celebrations and rituals.
What are the meanings of masks in Africa?
Other symbolize totem animals, creatures important to a certain family or group. In some cultures, like the Kuba culture of Zaire, masks represent specific figures in tribal mythology, like a king or a rival to the ruler. There are as many specific meanings to African masks as there are designs for them.
What do the patterns on a mask mean?
Each has an individual meaning, a second meaning in association with other patterns, and a meaning that varies with the level of knowledge of the initiate. The geometric patterns incised on masks are called “scars” by the Bwa, and they are identical to the scars worn by the men and women in the community.
Why are interlacing crosses important in African masks?
These can denote social status or have magical or religious powers. Interlacing crosses and geometric forms are often seen as details on African masks. With the spread of the Moslem faith in Africa, some of these designs show an influence of the decorative ideals of Islamic Art.
What kind of masks did African priests wear?
Priests wore masks of the falcon-headed god Horus during various religious rituals as well. African masks take on different forms. They may only cover the face, or go over the entire head, cover part of the torso, or be a headdress that rests on top of the head.
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