Culture Preservation With African Masks

By Michelle Harris


A mask is a common feature of many cultures around the world. This includes those cultures of the people in Africa. African masks have been and continue to be used for a variety of purposes. These include ceremonial and decorative functions among others.

One of the functions of this type of mask was to intimidate others. Warriors from different tribes soften wore it into battle. This indicates the intricate knowledge of the psychology of war that they possessed. Even the Europeans who encountered the continent in the early days of exploration spoke of how terrifying the face coverings were.

African tribal culture features the wearing of masks from birth to death. Religious ceremonies of older tribes and modern ones as well, feature these items. Often, the mask is used to represent a strong area of the faith. Sometimes it is an ancestral spirit that is represented by the mask.Many older burial sites feature corpses with masks on the faces.

Very often, clay is used to make the face coverings. This is nothing new of course, as it was clay that was used for the older generation's masks. Mask makers form the desired shapes and patterns in dough like clay. Afterwards they either place the mask in the sun to or allow it to harden in an oven designed specifically for this purpose.

Sometimes the raw material used is wood. Wood is treated and carved to create the images required for the finished look. Sometimes varnish is used to create a glossy finish. Most mask makers prefer to work with softer wood types as this allows for easier manipulation. Wood masks are prominently featured as tourist souvenirs at many sites around the continent. Tourists who travel tot he great continent can literally take a piece of Africa back home with them.

People who work in entertainment, education or culture related fields often need these masks. They use them to recreate the look of tribe members of the older African civilizations. Dance pieces that reflect the traditions associated with the area also feature these face coverings as props. Owing to the fact that many people are becoming more culturally aware, especially persons of African decent, the African mask has grown in popularity. For some persons they make excellent home and office accents.

This is why commercial interests have made the mask available to buyers. Consumers are able to browse online and find the mask of their choice. They may also visit physical stores for this purpose. Either way they are able to access the mask they need. Sometimes they can access handmade products coming out of the continent itself. Mask makers on Africa make the pieces and they are then shipped to consumers around the world.

Sometimes the persons who need these masks are unable to access them through commercial means. These people may consider the option of making the mask themselves. Crushed and softened paper, glue and paint can be used to create the shape, design and colors needed. This is a great alternative to the others as it is easier to manipulate and often less expensive.




About the Author:



Keine Kommentare:

Kommentar veröffentlichen