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Who created and wore 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).
Where do African tribal masks come from?
This can include materials derived from animals such as cowrie shells, feathers and ivory as well as animal skins, bones and horns. Sometimes they can be even more unusual, like porcupine quills. Plant materials like raffia or cotton appear in some masks. Masks are even sometimes made with human teeth and hair.
What do Ashanti masks mean?
The masks are believed to bridge the gap between the spiritual realm and the physical realm, bringing the spirits of the ancestors and other entities to life through their usage. They are used in events such as initiation ceremonies and masquerade performances.
How do I identify a tribal mask?
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 does the Igbo mask represent?
Their masks, painted white to symbolize death, represent dead female ancestors, though they are worn by male relatives of the deceased.
What were tribal masks used for?
Tribal masks are used to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the forces of good and evil.
Who are the people who wear African masks?
Among the people who wear African masks, there are the traditional healers, rainmakers, and young boys during their initiation into adulthood. Below we take a look at the various types of African masks and their meaning. What are the types of African masks?
Why are tribal masks so important in Africa?
African tribal masks have, for the longest time, played a vital role in celebrations, rituals, and tribal initiations. Due to its diversity in cultures, Africa has a rich history of making and wearing masks.
What kind of crafts did the Ashanti people do?
These include weaving, wood carving, ceramics, the reknown kente cloth and metallurgy. Of these crafts, only pottery making is primarily a female activity; the others are restricted to male specialists. Even in the case of pottery making, only men are allowed to fashion pots or pipes.
Who are the Ashanti and Fanti people of Ghana?
The Ashanti are a major ethnic group of the Akans (Ashanti and Fanti) in Ghana, Ghana is a fairly new nation, barely more than 50 years old, and Ghana was previously called the Gold Coast.