African Masks

Face Mask

• Worn over the ______to hide the ________of the wearer and to focus the people on the ________of the mask. • The whole _________is

considered part of the mask

Head Pieces

•Masks carved of ________worn on the front of the_________.•Also known as

a____________.

Helmet Masks• Large carved or _________masks

made to rest on the__________. • Can have parts that cover the

________body.• Some parts may even

contain________ _____.• Very_________.

Beliefs

• When masks are used, there is usually a _____________of the spirit. In other words they feel like you take on a _______spirit.

• The mask is a symbol of a _________or__________

• Sometimes the mask represents important ____________or an___________. (Close resemblance to the actual person is forbidden.)

Importance of Women

• Masks often include something ___________to reinforce the cherished idea that men can do ____________without___________. • __________and ___________may

accompany the wearing of the mask, but not always.

Interpreter

• The mask spirit does not ___________to the people. An ____________is used to give the people the spirit's message. (So you did not want to make the interpreter __________because could tell the tribe something that is not_______.)

• The masked person needs time to transcend to the “__________ plane" and often requires time to return to ____________after the appearance. We would call this____________.

Images

• Africans do not use any image to represent the ______force. • The masks represent lesser gods

or_________. • The mask wearer

becomes___________.

Forces

• The mask is an attempt to put things in ______________between the ____________and man. The use of the mask is also an attempt to control the forces that affect_________________.

• All things have spiritual force (________, wind,____________, man, water,

and animals-all things have the water force).

Functions

• To_______________• to honor __________or important

persons • to symbolize______

Uses Continued

• to elegize __________members • to control ________(forces: air, land,

and water) • to vitalize and _______certain group

members • to give _________(for dangerous or

strenuous tasks)

Uses

• to use for ______________(to use in initiation ceremonies such as the rites of passage)

• to identify (every masked priest is recognized by the “____________"-small mask-he carries on his person)

Purposes and uses

• to teach and continue the passing of the group‘s___________• to honor the __________of the

larger masks • to give courage to

fight_________

Uses

• to encourage__________, stop wars, and praise__________

• to identify with social authority • to teach __________by doing the wrong thing

dramatically • to empower,__________, and sometimes

subdue the group members

Uses, Functions, and Purposes

• to judge,_________, and set group limits • to exemplify calmness,

____________, or any needed attribute • to appease __________forces

Functions

• to encourage the __________of the land • to protect group members

from___________• To _________and make women

fertile

Purposes Continued

• to install a __________or political figure • to propitiate the ancestors when

a disaster ________the village • So main purpose

is_____________