Tuesday, March 20, 2012

True Meaning Of African Masks

By Bethel Meehan


The inherent figures of nature within the African continent represented in African decors keep inspiring the imagination and motivation of artists as mirrored in the rising demands of African furnishings, and home decors. African artworks and the culture that represents it are shown in the wonderful craftsmanship. Most of the customary, handed-down methods used in the creation of these decors, proceed to provide quality art pieces of home decors that are very demanded all around the community.

One of the most popular African decor is the African Mask decor. Traditional masks have long been part of the African culture. African masks are regarded in fact as dramatic manifestations of the spirits of their long-departed ancestors, and considered to have imminent powers for social control.

African masks are crafted by common options and only worn by performers, or worshipers with each other with additional elaborate costumes, through a ritual dance or a staged cultural dance. The main purpose of which is to instruct and to encourage respect for African culture and history, find protection and blessing by showing reverence to most women ancestors, and thanksgiving for a great harvest. These ritual acts demonstrate vital spiritual and ethical values of the whole community, and the mask's inventive and figurative facts reflect similar views.

African masks are usually made by hand by skillful artisans. In most parts of Africa, masks are produced of well-known wood even while in other countries, notably Kenya, masks are built of shiny terracotta. In Ghana, love masks are particularly manually crafted by the Eket artists. These masks are formed from Sese wood, a highly common and sturdy kind of wood in Ghana, which is believed to convey blessing of happiness to the an individual who wears it.

It is very common to see masks made of wood, and it has a very long history to back up that claim. Traditional Africans believe that trees have souls like humans, which give life to the masks formed from them. Thus, before creating a mask, the artisan seeks advice from his spiritual leaders, performs a purification ritual and sacrifices an offering to delight the spirit of the trees. After these rites, the tree is cut down to a manner that is full of respect. When the masks are carved, the carver takes some of the trees' sap and chews it to gain connection with the tree. The carver regards all these activities important for the betterment of his craftsmanship and achieves relationship with nature and its gods.

African masks can be made use of for diverse causes, not just as decors or house ornaments. They are utilized in several rituals and ceremonies. The size and style of the masks are also assorted. Animals, human faces and other abstract types are painted with the masks. Although sizes may possibly vary from a number of centimeters to five meters, like the 'Dogon Iminana' otherwise known as the mother mask.




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