What are African masks made for?
African masks provide a tangible form for invisible spirits, which are personified as human beings, animals, or fantastic composites of both. Spirits—deities, ancestors, and nature spirits (those that inhabit streams, rivers, rocks, and other natural forms)—get involved in the affairs of people, by invitation or not.
How can you tell if an African mask is real?
Check the back of the mask for wear, including the holes for fastening the mask on the face. The wearer does a lot of moving in his dances, and contact between body and wood can leave sweat and oil stains. 2. Look for wear from forehead, cheeks, chins and noses.
What is the name of a traditional African mask?
African masks should be seen as part of a ceremonial costume. They are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community.
Are African masks valuable?
Yes! African masks are widely appreciated commercially, artistically and by the public at large.
What does an African mask look like?
They are a deep, dark green and some are so dark they almost appear black. Their shiny length is accented by silvery-white veining and deeply scalloped edges outlined by the same striking white.
What do the colors on African masks mean?
Red- Life & blood; Gold- Fortune; Blue- Innocence; Green- The earth and Africa as the mother country; Black- The Unity of the people of Africa -show their understandings of one selected African mask – Brainstorm ideas for creating their own personal masks.
What is African masquerade?
Masquerades are multimedia events that often include not one but several masked dancers embodying various spirits. In contrast to these large masquerades, the Chokwe and Kuba require only two or three masks to represent their ancestral spirits. …