Understanding masks from Africa

Why do people wear and use masks? transform celebrate conceal scare shock disguise When have you worn a mask?

What do we mean by ‘mask’? an object obscuring the face Mask – To mask – Masquerade to conceal/disguise the real nature of something – any occasion where masks are worn, often in celebrations, rituals and processions

MASQUERADE Compare these two masks – look for similarities and differences. What might it be like to wear these masks? What are the purposes of a masquerade?

Masquerade ceremonies protect and give good fortune to communities, commemorate ancestors and bring prosperity. MASQUERADE Wearing the mask enables dancers to show their strength and to reach higher forms of existence. Research what other costume and jewellery would be worn with these Yoruba masks. What would the masquerade have looked like? Carved wooden mask of the Epa masquerade Yoruba, probably late 19th century AD From Nigeria Wooden mask for Gelede masquerade Yoruba, probably late 19th century AD From Nigeria

SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS What are the differences? How might they be worn? What are the similarities between these masks in their form and material? What are the differences? How might they be worn?

USING SYMBOLS TO CONVEY MEANINGS This depicts a chameleon resting on a cock’s comb. The chameleon is a important symbol, which can mean many things – why do you think this is? The chameleon can to bring long life or death, abundance or infertility, depending on its colour. The cock is a messenger of God and symbolises fertility. Design your own combination of these two forms. Although worn by a men, Bamana masks have genders - the number of spikes on this mask indicates if it masculine (3 spikes), feminine (4 or 8) or androgynous (2, 5 or 7). Which is this? The antelope is a symbol of cultivation and success in agriculture. Carved wooden mask Bamana, probably early 20th century AD From Mali, West Africa Carved wooden headdress decorated with seeds Afo, 20th century AD From northern Nigeria

MATERIALS Examine these masks from different regions closely and compare the different materials they are made from. What different processes have been used to create these masks? Be specific about the different techniques. How would it feel to wear each of these masks? Imagine the weight and sound. LHS This dance crest is made of blackened wood with the red seeds Abrus precatorius inlaid in beeswax. It represents, in stylized form, a chameleon balanced on a cockscomb. In Africa, 'masks' can be made of almost anything - plastic, paper, leaves, basketry or cloth - and the masquerade is a performance genre that appeals to all the senses since it includes music, dance and elaborate costumes that cover the entire body. Often masks are made to be seen in motion or merely glimpsed at night. This particular mask is probably from an Angas dance society and is made of poisonous abrus seeds. A preoccupation with the sculptural forms of African masks has led to great interest in carved wooden pieces and the relative neglect of works such as this. RHS Mask carvers of Africa have developed many kinds of imaginative spirits in various materials such as wood, skins, cloth, beads, fibre and metal which are combined in a number of ways. The selection of media often has local significance, thus enhancing the visual symbolism of the mask and costume. This wooden mask has a fibre fringe or 'beard' and three fur horns. It was worn by the wichi or ritual specialist, and would have been put on and removed in complete secrecy. Its precise function is not known, but it may have been to discourage unruly behaviour. It was associated with the bwadi society that formerly exercised judicial powers and were present at the installation and initiation of chiefs. Its various elements are drawn from a whole range of wild creatures brought together in a single form.

MATERIALS These masks are made of a wide variety of natural materials, including seeds, vegetable fibres, skins and wood. What is the effect on the texture and the colour by using natural materials? Research the areas where they come from – what other natural materials do you think you might find there? Mask of vegetable fibre, hair and red abrus seeds Angas people, mid-20th century AD Northern Nigeria Mask (kifwebe) Songye, 19th century AD From the Democratic Republic of Congo

MASKS FOR DISPLAY Read the captions. Do you think these masks were made to be worn? Who do you think they depict? Man or woman? High or low status? Why do you think this? Research how they were used and displayed and what they mean. Brass helmet mask for the Ododua ritual Edo peoples, 18th century AD From Benin, Nigeria Ivory mask Edo peoples, probably 16th century AD From Benin, Nigeria

MASK FOR THE AFTERLIFE Where is this mask from? How can you tell? What was it used for? Where would it be displayed? Who would have seen it being worn? Compare this with other masks made for people after their deaths – what are the various reasons for doing this? Do death masks conceal anything?

MASKS AND GENDER Most masks were worn and made by men. The mask on the left was worn by women at an initiation ceremony. The masquerade figure on the right was made by a female Nigerian artist. Find out more about Sokari Douglas Camp’s work and how she discusses gender relations. Wooden helmet mask Mende people, Sierra Leone Early 20th century AD Sokari Douglas Camp, Big Masquerade with boat and household on his head Nigeria, AD 1995

Key points to explore when examining any object: ORIGIN and AGE – when and where it was made MATERIALS – what it was made of (and what this can tell us about the culture) PROCESS – how it was made (carved, chiselled, tiled, woven, beaded) PURPOSE – what it was used for MEANING – what it means or symbolises

Find out more about masks and Africa Visit the main Museum website www.britishmuseum.org Use Explore to look at some of our masks www.britishmuseum.org/explore/introduction.aspx