African tribal masks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents |
[edit] Intro
There are many kinds of tribal masks made in Africa. Although Africa is one place, there is many purposes and types of African tribal masks. There are war masks, masks used for ceremonies to honor the spirits, masks used for moral lessons and more.
[edit] Making
The masks are carved by an African tribal masks artist who trains for sometimes a long time to learn the traditional carving techniques as well as how those techniques are applied to the social and religious objects that he creates. The artist can receive his training as an apprentice to a master carver or can learn it from his father because of the tradition that has been passed down through many generations. The artist holds a respected position in African tribal society because of the work that he creates; they are valued for their spiritual meanings instead of the quality.
[edit] Representation
The most popular types of African masks are made to represent an animal but although some cultures may represent the same animal, the masks have different stories behind them. The most common carved animal masks are crocodiles, hawks, and buffalos. Some African tribes believe that the animal masks can help them communicate with the spirits who are said to live in forests or open savannas. People of Burkina Faso known as the Bwa and Nuna call to the spirit to stop destruction.
[edit] Religion
The Dogon of Mali have complex religions that are also have animal masks. Their beliefs are in three main cults. The Awa, Binu and Lebe. Awa is the cult of the dead, Binu is the cult of communication with spirits. The Lebe is the cult of earth and nature. Although there are only three main cults, the different types if masks total seventy-eight. Most of the ceremonies of the Dogon culture are highly secret but the antelope dance is introduced to non-Dogons. The antelope masks are rough rectangular boxes with several horns coming out of the top. The Dogons are expert agriculturists and the antelope symbolizes a hard working farmer.
[edit] Cultural
Another culture that has a very rich agricultural tradition is the Bamana people of Mali. The antelope is believed to be the teacher of man on how to farm. Although the Dogons and Bamana people both believe in antelope as an agricultural symbol, different parts of the masks mean different things. To the Bamana people, horns represented sprouting of grain.
[edit] Beauty
Masks are also a culture’s ideal of feminine beauty. The masks of Punu of Gabon have highly arched eyebrows, almost almond-shaped eyes and a narrow chins. The raised strip running from both sides of the nose to the ears represent jewelry. Dark black hairstyle, tops the mask off. The whiteness of the face represent the whiteness and beauty of the spirit world. Only men where the masks and perform the dances with high stilts despite it being a “female” masks.
One of the best representation of the female beauty is the famed Idia’s Mask of Benin. It is believed to have been commissioned by a king of Benin in memory of his mother. To honor his dead mother, the king wore the mask on his hip during special ceremonies.
[edit] Lessons
Another reason for African masks are for moral lessons. Because most African societies have no written culture, masked dances are used to teach the people from wrong and right. Many types of masks mena different things
[edit] Kindness in masks
The Senefou people of the Ivory Coast represent tranquility by making masks with eyes half-shut and lines drawn near the mouth. The Temne of Sierra leone use masks with small eyes and mouths to represent humility and humbleness. They represent wisdom by making bulging forehead. Other masks that have exaggerated long faces and broad foreheads symbolize the soberness of one’s duty that comes with power.
[edit] War Masks
War masks are also popular. The Grebo of the Ivory Coast carve masks with round eyes to represent alterness and anger, with the straight nose to represent unwillingness to retreat.
[edit] History
The history of many arts came from African tribal masks. When people from Europe first came and took an interest in African art, they did not care about the social or spiritual meanings it had with the tribes.
[edit] Mordern Links
African tribal art was fundamental in the creation of the first modernist styles: Cubism, Fauvism and Expressionism.
[edit] Today
Today, the qualities of African art are more understood. Unfortunately, most traditional African artworks are not being created by the artist, they are produced for tourist attraction. Although they show skilled craftsmanship , they lack the spiritual character of the real African tribal masks.
