Table of Contents
What do African masks traditionally represent?
In rituals, African masks represent deities, mythological beasts and gods; metaphors for good and evil, the dead, animals, nature and any other force that is considered more powerful than man himself.
What is the oldest African mask?
But the oldest African artifact that is definitely a mask is the highly realistic copper mask of the oni (leader) Obalufon, from the Ife kingdom of Nigeria (12th to 15th century). The eyeholes and the holes in the mask for strings of beads or raffia attachments indicate that it was worn in some ceremony.
Who created African masks?
These famous paintings suggest that masks in Africa have been used for at least 4,000 years (Mack 39). Eric Herold estimates these images to have been created by nomadic herdsmen possibly between 3500 and 1500 B.C. (World 9).
Do African masks have spirits?
African masks come in all different colours, such as red, black, orange, and brown. In most traditional African cultures, the person who wears a ritual mask conceptually loses his or her human life and turns into the spirit represented by the mask itself.
Does God not hide your face?
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.
Where did African masks originate?
Cave paintings on rock walls from Tassili, Algeria, Fezzan, Libya, and the Bushmen of South Africa are the oldest evidence for the existence of African masks.
What is the African mask art style?
Animals are often the African mask art style. These depict an animal’s spirit, and one that wears the mask becomes the animal itself that makes contact with that creature, such as telling animals to stay away from the village. An animal is a sign of virtue in other instances.
Why did African tribal masks become popular in the 20th century?
Like explained earlier, the dawn of the 20th century came with a need to revive the overworked and predictable Western arts. European artists like Pablo Picasso and Andre Derrain were at the forefront of this art revolution. The African tribal masks presented a solution to the tired tradition and perspectives in Western Art.
What are African tribal masks made out of?
African tribal masks are carved from a variety of materials, but the primary ones include; wood, terracotta, bronze, brass, copper, ivory, leather and glazed pottery. They are often adorned with objects like feathers, witchcraft, cowrie shells, beads, raffia, quills, and kaolin pigments.
What animals are represented with masks?
The most common animals that are represented with masks are buffalo, hyena, hawk, crocodile, and antelope. Antelope is one of the animal masks that are most commonly used.