African Masks
Embrace your inner animal
Background History
Shelby Todd
The African culture uses masks in rituals and religious ceremonies. In religious ceremonies, the masks are worn by the "bearer", or the dancer. They often represent animal, ancestor, or hero spirits from the past. Certain animals or elements also represent different virtues. For example, masks that incorporate a large chin symbolize strength and power. Oftentimes they are made out of copper, bronze, or wood.
Mask Stylization
The African masks are normally shaped to look like human faces or parts of animals. Sometimes they include actual animal hair or things like teeth in their masks. For example, crocodile teeth and fangs from various animals are sometimes used to represent power. African masks don't include a lot of color, but they make up for this in their use of texture and detail. The shape of the masks are fairly similar because they are mostly made to look like animals or humans, but they vary in technique and design.
My Opinion
I enjoy looking at the African masks because they tell a story. I like how each thing incorporated into the mask shows a different virtue like the teeth showing power. The African masks appeal to me because they are intricate and detailed. I also like how they are used in ceremonies to commemorate past ancestors and heroes. Overall, I like the shape, design, and the meaning of the African masks.