02 Oct 2020 African TRIBAL Masks

Mask is one of the most loved hand crafted art on earth. Many crafters from many million years have engaged themselves in the craft of making mask. Apart from the mysterious beauty that a mask always carries with it, there are significant inner meanings to it in many cultures. African nations are the biggest and the most varied mask crafters in the world and their masks carry the most inner meaning too.

Africal Tribal Mask

There is a story or a history behind African masks. In most traditional African cultures, the person who wears a ritual mask conceptually loses his or her human identity and turns into the spirit represented by the mask itself. This transformation of the mask wearer into a spirit usually relies on other practices, such as specific types of music and dance, or ritual costumes that contribute to conceal the mask-wearer’s human identity. The mask wearer thus becomes a sort of medium that allows for a dialogue between the community and the spirits.

Ceremonial Mask from Ghana

Ritual and ceremonial masks are an essential feature of the traditional culture and art of the people of Sub-Saharan Africa. African masks are usually shaped after a human face. Animals are common subjects in African masks too. Animal masks might actually represent the spirit of animals, so that the mask-wearer becomes a medium to speak to animals themselves. Another common subject of African mask is a woman’s face, usually based on a specific culture’s ideal of feminine beauty. There is another interesting type of mask called the Ancestor masks or the mask of the dead. Ancestors are a fundamental element of most African traditional cultures that is why it is not surprising that the dead is also a common subject for masks.

Decorative Animal Fang Mask

The most commonly used material for masks is wood, although a wide variety of other elements can be used, including light stone such as steatite, metals such as copper or bronze, different types of fabric, pottery, and more. Some masks are painted with natural colorants. A wide array of ornamental items can be applied to the mask surface; example include animal hair, horns, or teeth, sea shells, seeds, straws, egg shell, beads and feathers. For example, animal hair or straws are often used for a mask’s hair or beard.

African masks are endless. Their styles are different from one another. There are endless varieties of African mask that are available in Craft Montaz. Explore this rich collection and get home a few great hand crafted mask of Africa!

Pushpita is a freelance writer on world handicrafts and lifestyle. Pushpita holds a Masters in English literature and is a rich media professional.