Arts in Brazil: Cultural and Historical Influences from Africa By Alana Wynes This Afro-Brazilian Mask was purchased in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil Mask represents the Orixa “Ogun” (deity of war and iron) the Afro-Brazilian religion of Condomble’ Orixa “Ogun” (deity of war and iron)

Artifacts: Afro-Brazilian Masks purchased in the Pelourinho in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

How do you think the art of African Mask making traveled to Brazil?  What I would like to explore the most is the Africa Diaspora and why there is such a huge difference within both countries. In one place the culture has nearly died out whereas the other flourishes with African culture and life, yet both still face the similar challenges and racial disparities within their societies.

Slave Trade Over 4 MILLION enslaved Africans were imported to Brazil by the Portuguese settlers!!! With Africa slaves also came their culture and traditions.

Yohure Mask -From central region of Ivory Coast -Combine human and animal features -Elaborate Hairstyles -Outlined with zigzag lines -Used in dance rituals to help people deal with death of one of their people -Represent Yu spirits that restore social balance after a death -powerful and dangerous -kept away from women

Ligbi Mask -Originally from Ghana, now in Ivory Coast. -Dancers wear them in pairs -Used in celebration of Islamic holidays -Make-up and jewelry are usually added -Wings are on the sides of the face and they have a rectangle mouth

Baule Mask -Farmers (Akan people) from the eastern side of Ivory Coast. -Used in tribal dances during harvest festivals -Used to honor important visitors and at funerals from important figures -circular face represents the sun and the horns represent the power of the buffalo -made of wood

DAN Mask -Hunters and farmers from Ivory Coast to Liberia -Used for protection and communication with the spirit world -dancers sometimes use stilts -when the Dan wear the mask they become its spirit

Goma Mask -From the Democratic Republic of the Congo -

Woyo Mask -Fisherman from southwest of the Democratic republic of Congo -Usually painted with contrasting colors and worn with a full costume made of banana leaves -Colors have symbolic meaning and are often repainted to renew powers -carved for ritual dances of a secret male society that keeps social order

Punu Mask -Shira tribe in Gabon -Represent idealized beauty of Punu women -Can only be carved by Punu men -the high elaborate hairstyles suggest wealth -

teke Mask Teke means “to buy”. They are known as traders From the Congo Republics and Gabon Moon shaped masks -worn by secret society in charge of celebrations and rituals Have a bite bar at the back Colored with paint clay and divided by horizontal stripe

Pende Mask -has a combination of human and buffalo features -Hung over the door of a Chief

Lulua Mask From the Congo Republics by the Lulua river -Famous for decorating their bodies with scarification marks and tattoos Decorated with geometric shapes and reddish pigment

Lwalwa Mask From the southwest of Democratic republic of Congo and Angola Related to the Lulua: Men are hunters/women farmers Only men wear them Sculptors are highly paid and valued: father to son Famous for their dancing and masks play an important part in celebrations

Simplified shapes

biombo Mask From the Democratic Republic of the Congo Worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies 3 forms at the top of the head represent their hairstyle

Simplified shapes

What do all these masks have in common? Gelede masks are worn with a costume consisting of layers of elaborate, colorful cloth. The Gelede "mask" is more accurately a headdress, since it rests on top of the head and the wearer's face is covered by a cloth veil. The headdress takes the form of a human head, on top of which are motifs that are intended to entertain onlookers but, in addition, usually address social concerns that may also be expressed in songs that are part of the masquerade. The headdresses are usually brightly painted.[4] Individuals or families will usually go to any length to make their headdresses as attractive and humorous as possible. The endless variety of the motifs and their combinations makes it difficult to attempt to construct a typology of Gelede headdresses.[1] Most of the headdresses have facial adornments, ranging from lineage marks to decorative tattoos, which are either incised or painted. References: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%E1%BA%B9l%E1%BA%B9d%E1%BA%B9

at the Afro-Brazilian museum in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil African Masks at the Afro-Brazilian museum in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Máscaras Geledés Yoruba societies in Benin Made from wood and Paint

Simplified shapes

Simplified shapes

Simplified shapes

Afro-Brazilian Museum, Sao Paulo Gelede Mask, Afro-Brazilian Museum, Sao Paulo Gelede masks are worn with a costume consisting of layers of elaborate, colorful cloth. The Gelede "mask" is more accurately a headdress, since it rests on top of the head and the wearer's face is covered by a cloth veil. The headdress takes the form of a human head, on top of which are motifs that are intended to entertain onlookers but, in addition, usually address social concerns that may also be expressed in songs that are part of the masquerade. The headdresses are usually brightly painted.[4] Individuals or families will usually go to any length to make their headdresses as attractive and humorous as possible. The endless variety of the motifs and their combinations makes it difficult to attempt to construct a typology of Gelede headdresses.[1] Most of the headdresses have facial adornments, ranging from lineage marks to decorative tattoos, which are either incised or painted. References: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%E1%BA%B9l%E1%BA%B9d%E1%BA%B9

What do all these masks have in common? Gelede masks are worn with a costume consisting of layers of elaborate, colorful cloth. The Gelede "mask" is more accurately a headdress, since it rests on top of the head and the wearer's face is covered by a cloth veil. The headdress takes the form of a human head, on top of which are motifs that are intended to entertain onlookers but, in addition, usually address social concerns that may also be expressed in songs that are part of the masquerade. The headdresses are usually brightly painted.[4] Individuals or families will usually go to any length to make their headdresses as attractive and humorous as possible. The endless variety of the motifs and their combinations makes it difficult to attempt to construct a typology of Gelede headdresses.[1] Most of the headdresses have facial adornments, ranging from lineage marks to decorative tattoos, which are either incised or painted. References: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%E1%BA%B9l%E1%BA%B9d%E1%BA%B9

Sculpt your own African inspired Identity mask from clay! YOUR TURN! Sculpt your own African inspired Identity mask from clay! Gelede masks are worn with a costume consisting of layers of elaborate, colorful cloth. The Gelede "mask" is more accurately a headdress, since it rests on top of the head and the wearer's face is covered by a cloth veil. The headdress takes the form of a human head, on top of which are motifs that are intended to entertain onlookers but, in addition, usually address social concerns that may also be expressed in songs that are part of the masquerade. The headdresses are usually brightly painted.[4] Individuals or families will usually go to any length to make their headdresses as attractive and humorous as possible. The endless variety of the motifs and their combinations makes it difficult to attempt to construct a typology of Gelede headdresses.[1] Most of the headdresses have facial adornments, ranging from lineage marks to decorative tattoos, which are either incised or painted. References: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%E1%BA%B9l%E1%BA%B9d%E1%BA%B9

Examples!