World History

African Art: Masks

The African Tribal Artist

• The artist holds a respected position in African tribal society. It is his job to provide the various masks and sculptures for use in ritual ceremonies.

• His work is valued for its spiritual, rather than its aesthetic qualities.

The Function of an African Mask• African masks should be seen as part of a ceremonial

costume. They are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community.

• They come to life, possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and are enhanced by both the music and atmosphere of the occasion.

• Some combine human and animal features to unite man with his natural environment.

• This bond with nature is of great importance to the African and through the ages masks have always been used to express this relationship.

The Materials of an African Mask

• African masks are made from different materials: wood, bronze, brass, copper, ivory, terra cotta and glazed pottery, raffia and textiles. They are often decorated with cowrie shells, coloured beads, bone, animal skins and vegetable fibre.

• The tools used to make a carving - traditionally the Adze - are also endowed with their own particular spirits. When tools are passed down through different generations, they sometimes inherit the spirit and skills of their previous owners.

The Use of Pattern in African Masks

• Bold pattern, either painted or carved, is a powerful and expressive element in African mask design.

• Most patterns tend to be geometrical and symmetrical and are used in a variety of ways

• Patterns can denote social status or have magical or religious powers.

• Different geometric patterns are sometimes used to distinguish between male and female masks.

The Elements of Style in an African Mask

• There are two main forces that influence the style of an African tribal mask:– The traditional style that is dictated by the social and religious  beliefs of

the community.– The individual vision of the carver. African tribal artists do not try to

create a perfect representation of their subject. Although some realistic portraits are made, most celebrate more abstract qualities like nobility, beauty, courage, mischief and humor.

• TEXTURE - Highly polished surfaces which represent a youthful healthy skin reflect the idea of beauty and virtue, while rough dirty surfaces suggest fear and evil.

• SHAPE - African masks take on many forms. They can be oval, circular, rectangular, elongated, heart-shaped, animal or human, or any combination of these.

Baule Mask of West Africa• Used in dances during

harvest festivals, in processions to honor distinguished visitors, and at the funerals of important figures.

• The circular face represents the life-giving force of the sun and the horns symbolize the great power of the buffalo.

Biombo Mask of Central Africa (Congo)

• Usually worn during tribal rituals and ceremonies

• The eyes are a typical coffee bean shape

• A triangular checkerboard design is used to decorate the eyebrows and the face

• The three forms at the back of the head represent the Biombo hairstyle

Dan Masks of West Africa

• Dan masks are used for protection and as a channel for communication with the spirit world

• When a dancer wears a Dan mask he becomes the spirit of that mask

Pende Mask of East-Central Africa

• This ‘Panya Ngombe’ mask would be hung above the door or window of a chief’s dwelling

• The Pende carve several different types of masks that they use to communicate with the spirits during rituals

• The Pende believe that the spirits of their ancestors can positively or negatively influence the quality of their lives.

Punu Mask of East-Central Africa

• Punu masks represent the idealised beauty of Punu women, and should only be carved by Punu men.

• The elaborate Punu hairstyles suggest that the wearer is wealthy as her hair has not been flattened by the need to carry goods.

Kwele Mask of East-Central Africa

• The Kwele believe in witchcraft and blame all their personal and social ills on its influence

• The Kwele protect themselves through rituals involving these antelope masks

African Mask Design Lesson• To begin with, you

need two similar sized sheets of card, one light in tone, one dark. The contrasting tones will be used to create a balance of positive and negative features in the design. You will also need a pencil, scissors or craft knife, and some glue.

African Mask Design Lesson• Arrange the sheets in

portrait format. Fold the light sheet in half down its vertical length and cut along the crease. This should give you two equal halves. Then take one light half and place it over the dark sheet to create a symmetrical arrangement like the one illustrated above - one half dark, one half light.

African Mask Design Lesson• Draw a stylised eye about halfway down the light sheet

of paper.• Cut out the eye shape, flip it over and place it on the

dark sheet to form a symmetrical arrangement. The aim is to create a perfect balance between dark and light, positive and negative. 

African Mask Design Lesson• Draw one half of a stylized nose on the light colored paper.

This should stretch from just above the eyes to roughly halfway between the eyes and the bottom of the sheet.

• Cut out the nose and flip it over. Place it on the dark sheet and align it with the vertical edge of the light paper.

African Mask Design Lesson• Next, draw one half of a stylised mouth on the light sheet.

Although the position of the features in this mask is conventional, you do not have to follow normal facial proportions in mask design.

• Cut out the mouth and flip it over. As before, place it on the dark sheet and align it with the vertical edge of the light paper to complete its shape.

African Mask Design Lesson• Draw a simple outline for the face on the light paper. This could

be oval, circular, rectangular, elongated, heart-shaped, animal-shaped or human, or any combination of these.

• Draw a simple outline for the face on the light paper. This could be oval, circular, rectangular, elongated, heart-shaped, animal-shaped or human, or any combination of these.

African Mask Design Lesson• Draw some tattoo designs or scarification marks on the light

side of the face (representing magical or religious power)• Cut out the tattoo or scarification marks, flip them over and

place them on the opposite side of the design to create a symmetrical arrangement.

African Mask Design Lesson

• On the light background draw a stylized design to represent hair or braids

• Cut out the stylized hair braid, flip it over and place it onto the dark side of the design

African Mask Design Lesson• Once you have completed the

arrangement of your design, glue the light shapes down onto the dark background.

• Take care to ensure that a neat line is formed down the middle of the mask where the two halves of the design meet.

• An accurate symmetry across this line is essential to the success of your image.

Artyfactory

• All information, directions, and artwork come from: http://www.artyfactory.com/africanmasks/design/design.htm