What are African masks used for for kids?

The mask wearer thus becomes a sort of medium that allows for a dialogue between the community and the spirits (usually those of the dead or nature-related spirits). Masked dances are a part of most traditional African ceremonies related to weddings, funerals, initiation rites, and so on.

What do masks represent in African culture?

Tribal masks are used to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the forces of good and evil.

What are traditional African masks used for?

The traditional African mask is worn during celebrations, dances and festivities and ritual ceremonies commemorating social and religious events. They play a very significant spiritual and functional role in the community and often there is no distinction between social recreation and ritual celebration.

How do you make a African mask for kids?

STEPS

2Cut eye holes. Start out with an 8½-inch or 10-inch paper plate.
3Make the nose and mouth. Take some strips of newspaper.
4Paint the mask. Paint your mask with a base color, which is typically brown, black, or white.
5Paint the details.
6Add some hair.
7Use the mask.

What is the history of African masks?

It is believed that the earliest masks were used in Africa before Paleolithic era. They represent spirits of animals or ancestors, mythological heroes, moral values or a form of honoring of a person in a symbolic way. They are made from wood, pottery, textiles, copper and bronze.

What are three different forms of African masks?

This Luba dance mask is worn over the head like a helmet. Masks can be grouped into three main forms: face masks, helmet masks, and headresses. The face mask is the most common form and usually curves over the masker’s face, stopping right before the ears.

Why do some cultures have masks?

Rituals, often nocturnal, by members of secret societies wearing ancestor masks are reminders of the ancient sanction of their conduct. In many cultures, these masked ceremonies are intended to prevent miscreant acts and to maintain the circumscribed activities of the group.

Why did the Africans wear masks?

Africa possesses a long tradition of masking and it is believed that masks were integral to their culture long before the first century B.C. The wide variety of uses for masks, which included rituals of myth, creation, and hero worship, as well as fertility rituals for increase, agricultural festivities, funerals or …

Why were African tribal masks made of?

How do you make a tribal mask?

Start with a simple U shape.
Draw two eye shapes on the line.
Add a brow line above the eyes.
Draw a nose and mouth.
Add two cheek shapes.
Draw two ears.
Add stripes on the forehead.
Trace with a marker and color.

Where did African masks originate from?

Almost all peoples have used masks to disguise themselves. Prehistoric rock paintings suggest that masking may have been part of magico-religious ceremonies. An image of an African mask first appeared in the central Sahara thousands of years ago.

What is the common material used to make African masks?

African masks are made from a range of available materials: wood, bronze, brass, copper, ivory, terracotta and glazed pottery, raffia and textiles . They are often decorated with cowrie shells, colored beads, bone, animal skins and vegetable fibre.

What are facts about African masks?

The Baule people carve African masks to be worn while dancing during harvest festivals. The mask’s round shape is a reminder of the Sun, the source of all life. These people respect the tremendous power possessed by the water buffalo which is represented by the horns carved into the top of the mask.

Why are African masks used in Africa?

African masks should be seen as part of a ceremonial costume. They are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community . They come to life, possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and are enhanced by both the music and atmosphere of the occasion.

Why were African masks used for?

Traditional African masks play an important role in certain traditional African rituals and ceremonies. Masks serve an important role in rituals or ceremonies with varied purposes like ensuring a good harvest, addressing tribal needs in time of peace or war, or conveying spiritual presences in initiation rituals or burial ceremonies.