Masks Why were masks made? Traditionally for spiritual reasons - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

African Masks

What are African Masks?

Traditionally for spiritual reasons

• Celebrations
• Ceremonies
• Initiations (when a young person

becomes a member of the adult community)

• To bring peace in troubled times
• To connect with the spiritual world

Why were masks made?

• No. Most Africans today are Christian,

Muslim or Jewish.

• Masks still represent a connection with

their past, ancestry, background and culture.

• The ceremonies are a treasured tradition

passed down through generations.

• Most masks today are made as artwork

to sell to tourists or on the internet.

Do most Africans believe in the spiritual power of mask ceremonies today?

• Are often connected with

special occasions, market days,

• r other events that may draw

large crowds.

• This allows the masks to be

displayed for many to see, and some of the traditional dances to be performed.

African Mask Ceremonies Today

An impossible ceremonial dance?

• Many ceremonies today are attended today so

that people may connect with their traditional past.

• The ability to dance a ceremonial dance well is

highly appreciated, in fact, if you watch closely, you will notice that people are throwing money to the dancer as well as voicing their appreciation of the dance.

• Can you think of a similar situation in your

culture?

Watch his shoulders, too!

• Used by the Kuosi society

among the Bamileke

• Focuses on the animal spirit of

the elephant

• Were associated with the king,

because the elephant is also a king of the forest

• The more ornate, the

wealthier and more powerful the king

• Some are worn with

headdresses, others are not

African Elephant Masks

• Are rare due to the use of fabric
• Are worn over costumes that cover

the body

• Beads are stitched into geometric

patterns

• Mask is symmetrical
• Mask has large eyeholes and

abstract ears

• The front panel represents the

trunk.

• Nose and mouth are also present

African Elephant Masks

A great link for African elephant masks!

African Elephant Masks

• Older, very traditional masks were treasured by

Europeans and brought back home from travels to Africa. Some paid for, others were looted.

• Because of the natural materials that many

masks were made of, many masks that are in museums are not necessarily very old, even though they may look very old.

• Newly made African masks can easily be

found on the internet for sale

An African Elephant Mask on sale today

Ceremonial African Masks

• As you watch, notice the large variety of masks, but

pay close attention to the Elephant masks!

• The dancing is exhausting, remember they have poor

visibility behind the masks, are covered with itchy materials, and are balancing the masks.

• Some of the masks you see in this clip weigh as much

as 75 pounds!

• Most of the dances, therefore, are men between

the ages of 18 and 30.

http://www.daytonartinstitute.org/art/collection- highlights/african/bamileke-people http://www.africadirect.com/masks/bamileke-and-cameroon- grassfields/bamileke-beaded-elephant-mask-cameroon-africa-86628.html http://www.lotusmasks.com/category/history-african-masks.html

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