1. The Mask: A Study of Traditions
By:
Nick Bikos Jon-Paul Heil
Will Colletti Brad Ritchie
Anthony Mallett Josh Wizneiwski

2. Introduction
Masks have been used throughout history for a variety of purposes
Their uses range from assisting in prayer, to increasing fertility, to conducting ceremonies
In African beliefs, one wearing a mask is imbued with its power and becomes a different entity
One example is the Ogwugwu in Things Fall Apart

3. What is a Mask?
A mask is a covering for all or part of the face worn to conceal one’s identity
A facial covering worn for a ritual

4. The Role of the Mask in the Ceremony

5. Consecration Spiritual Significance in ancestral spirit
Reflected in its design, style, and purpose in dance
Common understanding in every generation
The Mask goes through consecration to be worthy of the spirit it embraces
Deities reflect role of the mask in nature and spirit
Tribal Leader heads consecration with potions, herbs, and body parts
The ceremony reflects on its intended purpose
Similar ceremony used to extract the power from the Mask

6. Rituals
Masks used as a symbol of keeping moral code and honor among the clan
Ancestral spirits only more encourage this belief
The spirits are in control of such judgement

7. Fertility & Funerary Rites and Initiation
Fertility in humans, animals, and earthly harvest are reflect by the deities
Ancestral spirits begged to accept the deceased into the spirit world
Host of different masks during the funeral and celebration to follow after to honor the deities
During initiation, masks worn by leaders and initiates to help demonstrate the responsibilities of adulthood, sexuality, traditions, law, etc.
Masked dance performed in conclusion

8. Judgment and Protection
Mask worn by secret societies in counsel and judgment
Mask symbolizes wisdom and spiritual power
Different masks worn pending on the crime or judgment
Exorcism and warring instances call upon the Mask for to aid

9. Masks and Things Fall Apart?
Significant in tribal court
“And when, as on that day, nine of the greatest masked spirits in the clan came out together it was a terrifying spectacle.” (Achebe, 75)
Used to conceal identity
Add:
Sense of mystery
Air of divine importance

10. Masks’ Uses Localized Use depends on location
Different sects invent different uses
Majority involve spiritual affairs

11. Used in Death Significant in remembering passed women
Masks symbolize pure beauty
Finely sculpted and great care taken in detail
Depicts women’s features highlighted with tattoos

12. Used in Ceremonies Southern Ekpe Eastern Ibo Two contrasting masks
Maiden= beauty and peace
Elephant= strength and aggression
Similar masks to Northern
Eastern Ibo
Masquerades
Colorful, exciting masks
Harvest Celebration

13. Celebration New Yam Festival Enormous amount of yams cooked
“The Feast of the New Yam was held earth year before the harvest began, to honor the earth goddess and the ancestral spirits of the clan.” (Achebe, 32)
Enormous amount of yams cooked
Masks create festive mood
Set tone of religious gratitude

14. Masks Tell Stories Every mask has a specific spirit
Each spirit has a story
The rituals that follow the masks give a story of the group of the spirits
Each mask teaches a lesson from the story
The stories and masks are closely tied to their religious influence

15. Stories of Their Religion
secret societies for agricultural and funeral ceremonies
incarnate unspecified spirits of the dead

16. Masks’ Significance in the Tribe
A certain cult or society in the clan
The titles one holds within the tribe
The class the person or group may be in
Where the tribe is located
Which gods or goddesses the tribes worship
Form of entertainment

17. Their Significance
Baule society was characterized by extreme individualism, great tolerance, a deep aversion toward rigid political structures, and a lack of age classes, initiation, circumcision, priests, and secret societies
The ram is a heavenly demon or a spirit of agriculture

18. Their Titles
masks, of wood or fabric, are employed in a variety of dramas: social satires, sacred rituals (for ancestors and invocation of the gods), initiation, burials, and public festivals The higher ranking men of the society wore these masks

19. Their Role in Worship
Diversity plays a vital role in their worship and ceremonies
Influences came from a variety of neighboring cultures
By this diversity, masks are eclectic as well

20. Their Role in Worship Stresses process instead of product
Very passionate about motion
Masks can be used to repel the opposite of what they symbolize
Beauty mask: it is used against a beast mask during worship so peace and unity can be maintained in their tribe

21. Their Role in Worship
These masks are usually used in a festival called “The Fame of Maidens”
Masks also complement the ritual in which they both can liven up the ritual; for people it can be entertaining

22. Their Role in Worship
Masks were more importantly uses in hiding the identity of that person wearing the mask
Masks could be used to bestow fear on women for any occasion to women masks were dangerous)
They were significant in worship because they were the link between the present world and the afterworld

23. Their Role in Worship
Masks have been very vital in tribe worshipping, ceremonies, funerals, and etc.
They can be worn for a variety of reasons
Uses can be seen in the book, “Things Fall Apart”

24. How does this all connect to Things Fall Apart?

25. Connections Masks were worn by the egwugwu
The egwugwu were masqueraders who impersonated one of the ancestral spirits of the village (Achebe, 172).
When these masked spirits came out, all the women and children were terrified

26. Connections The masks covered up the egwugwu’s true identity
When the masks were worn, they were seen as different people
“Okonkwo’s wives…might have noticed that the second egwugwu had the springy walk of Okonkwo…But if they thought these things they kept them within themselves” (Achebe, 76).

27. Connections
People could not openly say that someone that wore a mask reminded them of someone they knew
When the mask was worn, the “men” were now spirits
There were nine spirits that represented the nine tribes

28. Connections
These nine spirits decided on issues that came up in the tribe
They were like a court that settled cases
Wearing a mask implied a high position in the tribe

29. Conclusion
The purpose and use of masks is a complex and integral part of African tribal life
Thousands of masks exist that were used today for ceremonies and rituals
Times have changed but the tradition of using masks to honor and worship ancestors and deities lives on

30. Bibliography
Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Boston: McDougal Littell, 1997.
“Igbo- Ibo Mask History.” Rebirth African Art History Rebirth. 30 Oct < za/Igbo_tribal_art_history_and_culture.htm>
“Igbo Maiden Masks.” Igbo Mask - Agbogho Mmwo. 30 Oct < maiden_spirit_mask.html>
“Masks.” African Art Collection. 30 Oct <

31. Bibliography (cont.)
“Masks.” Dictionary.com Lexico Publishing Group. 30 Oct < browse/masks>
“Masks." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Oct
“The Igbo People.” Ethnographica. 30 Oct < 36>
“Small Igbo Mask.” African Masks from Around the World. 30 Oct < Africa/African%20Igbo%20%20Mask%203.htm>