FunAfrican masks: origin and how they are made

African masks: origin and how they are made

African masks are highly prized for their artistic value. They adorn the walls of some of the most renowned museums and galleries in the world. Many of us also incorporate masks into our homes to add an exotic flair to our décor , but it is important to recognize that beneath their superficial beauty, these mysterious faces hold deeper meaning. Understanding its history is an essential part of appreciating its cultural, symbolic, and aesthetic value. Let’s now learn more about the origin and how African masks are made .

African masks: origin and how they are made

The origin and existence of African masks dates back to the Stone Age. For thousands of years, Africans have incorporated tribal masks into their ceremonies, rituals, and cultural celebrations. Each of these creations is designed according to the particular traditions of its region. The designs vary from modest and simple to very elaborate in appearance.

African villagers have deep and complex beliefs around masking ceremonies. It is thought that when a person (often a man) wears a mask, he becomes a kind of medium , capable of communicating with spirits and ancestors on behalf of the community. This is an effort to control the forces of good and evil by asking for the intervention and blessings of the spirits to support and guide the community through crucial life events such as preparation for war, harvesting crops, marriage, fertility, and burials.

The mask maker

Since the masks function as a container for contact with various spiritual powers, the creator of the mask must possess both the technical skill and the spiritual knowledge necessary to make them. These talented artisans sculpt faces into perfectly symmetrical human or animal shapes using materials as varied as ceramics, textiles, copper, aluminum or bronze . They finish their creations by embellishing them with materials as varied as clay, ivory, horn, stone, feathers and straw. Sometimes masks are made with the image of a female face that is typically based on the ideal of female beauty from a particular culture.

These artisans are believed to be capable of feeling the “spiritual power” that lives in the materials they use to create their pieces. It is believed that the energy of the spirit inhabits the instruments of the artists, so their tools must be handled with extreme caution. As the mask gradually begins to take shape, the object is believed to acquire more supernatural abilities. In some cultures, it is thought that this intimate relationship between the creator and his creation allows the artist himself to absorb some of his magical power.

The wearer of the mask

In the western world, we normally only wear masks during Halloween, costume parties, and other festive occasions, while the wearing of masks has always been a vital part of African life. Masks are used to disguise the face, sometimes in conjunction with a disguise that covers the entire body. Its purpose is to allow the user to transform into the entity represented by the mask . In essence, the wearer works in conjunction with the mask during a ceremony to unleash its hidden power.

As community viewers watch, the user (again, often a male) engages in a highly animated performance in which he enters a deep trance until the spirit fully inhabits and possesses his body. Music (primarily drums), dance, song, and prayer are used to induce a trance state through which this transformation can occur. This sets the stage for a supernatural exchange between the dancer and spirits, ancestors, and other entities.

In contemporary Africa , masks are no longer used as frequently for tribal ceremonies, although they still represent one of the continent’s most vibrant contributions to the arts.

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