The African Mask

The Masks are worn all around the world for purposes of protection, concealment, or entertainment. You see them worn by people walking down the street during parades. It is worn by people on stage, during more serious plays and presentations. Certain movie and television performers like Zorro and Batman have been known for the masks they wear.

The African mask however serves a different deeper purpose. These wooden masks, which represent animals or humans, are one of the more common forms of art found in Africa. One look at a genuine African mask will show you how rich the cultures are in this continent. Therefore, many consider them as sculptures instead of mere masks.

The Wooden Mask

The African masks have served as one of the earlier examples of African traditional art in Western countries. The masks themselves are made mostly of wood, and the creativity of the tribesmen combined with the versatility of the wood they use eliminates the need for special tools. Once the initial form is finished, and before coloration is applied, the mask is smeared with oil to prevent cracking or splitting as it dries.

Additional ornaments were not uncommon to these wooden masks. They were not just there for design, but the craftsmen also believed that these supplements were important in the sense that they added more power to the mask they were making. One example would be mirrors; since they reflected light, they were believed to have a special meaning in the sense that they would be able to oppose evil spirits. Cowry shells, which were used as currency in the past, were used to adorn a mask to represent wealth. Also, feathers on a mask would suggest that its wearer was more than capable in defending himself as well as being able to engage in a fight with success. Other additions to the physical design of a mask include the following: Resin, leaves, animal skin (which replaced human skin), grass, beads, feathers, and metal.

The Colors and Shape of the Mask

The color and form of a mask are notably specific to a particular tribe. One can tell where a specific mask came from just by checking those two properties. African craftsmen must follow certain traditions and requirements when it comes to the shape and color of the masks they make. Colors have all sorts of meanings, depending on what tribe you go to. For example, white can represent death, daylight, or good fortune. Craftsmen can extract dye from a host of plants. At times it is possible that ‘magical substances,’ such as sacrificial blood, are mixed with it. That being said, even coloring the masks may have required a special ritual.

After a mask has been colored, wax may be applied to achieve a glossy finish. However some tribes have methods of their own; for example, the Dan tribe hailing from the Ivory Coast would use a certain technique involving a mud bath – the mask’s color would be enhanced by the mud it is buried in. Some other masks are finished though blackening or through burning.

The forms of African Mask

The African tribal mask is seen as a statement of the feelings of its creator. Oftentimes the sculptor would use symbolic and traditional forms which can pretty much be understood only by other people in his tribe. Many times these masks are crafted from a single piece of wood. There are other forms, however for example, there is the helmet mask, which covers the head, although there are some of this mask which can be worn across the top of the head. There are double masks, with two faces which are crafted side by side, or even back to back. These are just some of the many concepts of the many craftsmen in Africa.

African tribal masks are used often in celebrations and initiations. They are also used for ceremonies involving situations such as crop harvesting and war preparation. These masks are usually worn by an initiated, or simply a chosen dancer of the tribe. He is usually not just adorned with the mask rather, his whole body is dressed in a very colorful and dramatic costume. This costume may be so elaborate that it may include leaves, shells, beads, and amulets. The dressing of the dancer in itself is already a ritual on its own. At times, the mask ceremony would find the dancer in a trance as he ‘communicates’ with the ancestors of the tribe. He would relay his message through the rhythm of heavy pounding of drums with tunes of music, accompanied by songs and chants from the audience.

With its heavy significance in rituals, the African tribal mask serves more than just its purpose as it probably has in your local museum or in a certain collector’s home. These masks define the African culture in itself. They are not just beautiful by design; many can say that these masks usually represent a spirit. Their existence can tell a whole host of stories to be passed on through countless generations.