African tribal masks information
AFRICAN MASKS
HANDCRAFTED AFRICAN MASKS FOR SALE FROM AFRICAN CRAFTS MARKET
Chokwe mask ~ Songye mask ~ Punu mask ~ Goli mask ~ Shona mask ~ Teke mask ~ Fang mask ~ Tikar mask ~ Bauole mask ~ Guro mask ~ Maasai mask ~ Swazi mask ~Kwele mask
Many African societies see African masks as mediators between the living
world and the supernatural world of the dead, ancestors and other
entities. Each African mask is made according to a traditional
style, and a trained performer wears each African mask for a
certain traditional ceremony.
Although African masking ceremonies
are not as commonplace in Africa as they once were, African
masks are still looked at as an important part of African
culture and history and are still used in important rituals and
celebrations.
Elaborate and complex beliefs surround African
masks and their use in rituals. And the wood used for
certain African masks is so powerful that it may
only be touched by a chosen few- those who wear the African mask
and the elders of the culture. Virtually everything associated
with African mask making has a corresponding
ritual. One culture may forbid the use of a particular tree because
its wood is thought to possess harmful qualities and could become
part of anything made from it, sapping the power from the image
carved. Other types of wood on the other hand are highly prized
because they are thought o have their own inherent power.
A sculpture of a African mask is not merely
carving an object he is perpetuating the beliefs of his people.
During the course of his work the unfinished piece must be kept out
of sight or some of its power can be taken.
During the mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he "communicate" with his ancestors. A wise man or translator sometimes accompanies the wearer of the mask during the ritual. The dancer brings forth messages of wisdom from his ancestors. Often the messages are grunted utterances and the translator will accurately decipher the meaning of the message. Rituals and ceremonies are always accompanied with song, dance and music, played with traditional African musical instruments.
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.
Once the African mask is complete the African mask is usually treated with vegetable oil.
AFRICAN MASKS FOR SALE FROM ALL OVER AFRICA
AFRICAN MASKS
Our masks are handcrafted to the highest of quality from respected African carvers from all over Africa.
To order your masks from us please enter our African masks main page at www.africancraftsmarket.com//products/african-masks.html
Or click one of the mask styles below
Chokwe mask ~ Songye mask ~ Punu mask ~ Goli mask ~ Shona mask ~ Teke mask ~ Fang mask ~ Tikar mask ~ Bauole mask ~ Guro mask ~ Maasai mask ~ Swazi mask ~ Kwele mask
Click here Learn about more African tribes and traditions
The Ashanti tribe ~ The Bushman tribe ~The Maasai (Masai) tribe ~The Ndebele tribe ~The Shona tribe ~ The Teke people / Kidumu tribe ~The Zulu tribe
AFRICAN CRAFTS MARKET is a company situated in South Africa that has many Zulu pieces of art available for sale, from the lovely Zulu bead work and grass weave baskets through the traditional Zulu shields. To view the items that may be of interests to you go to our gallery pages on our website at www.africancraftsmarket.com