Ancient african masks - Supplies and construction

Supplies and construction

A copper and wooden masks from Central Africa

Helmet Masks for Sande Society Brooklyn Museum

Probably the most generally used materials for masks is wooden, though all kinds of different components can be utilized, together with mild stone equivalent to steatite, metals equivalent to copper or bronze, various kinds of fabric, pottery, and extra. Some masks are painted (for instance utilizing ochre or different pure colorants). A big selection of decorative gadgets might be utilized to the masks floor; instance embrace animal hair, horns, or tooth, sea shells, seeds, straws, egg shell, and feathers. For instance, animal hair or straws are sometimes used for a masks's hair or beard.

The final construction of a masks varies relying on the way in which it's meant to be worn. The commonest sort applies to the wearer's face, like most Western (e.g., carnival) masks. Others are worn like hats on the highest of the wearer's head; examples embrace these of the Ekhoi individuals of Nigeria and Bwa individuals of Burkina Faso, in addition to the well-known chiwara masks of the Bambara individuals. Some masks (for instance these of the Sande society of Liberia and the Mende people of Sierra Leone, which are made out of hole tree stumps) are worn like helmets overlaying each the top and face. Some African cultures have mask-like ornaments which are worn on the chest quite than the top of face; this contains these utilized by the Makonde people of East Africa in ndimu ceremonies.