Mask
Mask
Mask
MASKS
What can they tell us about the people who made them?
Masks are a universal cultural
link being found in most
nations all over the world.
Masks connect us through the
commonality of the power of
the human imagination. They
form a silent language which
is understood all over the
world and which defines the
essence of human expressions
and emotions at various
levels- spiritual, religious, and
material.
While it is perfectly
acceptable to enjoy masks
from many cultures as rich
colorful works of art, one
can gain a deeper
understanding by
considering how masks
are used in a particular
culture and the meanings
or traditions that wearing
the masks brings.
Masks were used before
recorded history. On a
cave wall in southern
France is the 15,000-
year-old drawing of a
masked dancer wearing
animal horns. Ice age
hunter probably wore
this mask to
communicate with the
spirit world they
believed in to help them
find food.
In general, masks have several
important social functions: (1)
to conceal one’s identity (as in
masquerade party); (2) to
frighten or amuse (as in
Halloween); (3) for ritual (as in
religious or magic ceremonies)
or (4) for performances ( as in
actors and dancers). Most
nations all over the world have
a cultural past which includes
masks.
There are three basic types of
masks: the helmet mask, which
covers the wearer’s entire head; the
face mask, which covers the face;
and the headdress mask, which sits
on top pf the head.
Although today masks are
worn mostly for fun, some
have serious uses. The surgeon
wears a mask to protect her
from getting germs, the soldier
a gas mask to protect him from
poisonous fumes; and a
football or hockey player
wears one to avoid injury to
his face.
A mask may also be
any 2-d or 3-d
representation of a
face, like an Egyptian
mummy’s face
depicting the face of
the deceased. One of
the most famous is the
death mask of the boy
king, the Pharaoh
Tutankhamen.
A mask can also
be make-up that
covers and
disguises the face
like that of a
“mime” or and
actor in Japanese
kabuki theatre.
Here are some of the many masks used in different
parts of the world and the reasons for wearing them.
United States of America
Native Americans
have a rich history in
mask making. They
wore masks in many
of their ceremonies.
Mardi Gras – French for Halloween is
Fat Tuesday, a celebrated in the
celebration held annually USA like in many
in New Orleans,
M other countries.
Louisiana. Parades,
a Masks are a big part
dances, and parties mark
s of Halloween.
the occasion.
k
AFRICA
African masks often
represent the spirits
of dead ancestors.
Masked family
members act out
special rituals to
pass on sacred
teachings from one
generation to the
next.
Tribal gatherings, festivals and other ceremonies are also occasions
for which masks are worn.
Italy