Ceremonial Masks – African Masks and Mexican Masks – a brief look

Ceremonial masks have been used by cultures all around the world. Deep in the human collective consciousness lies a desire for transformation which is symbolized by the transformation of persona when a mask is worn. From highly carved ceremonial African masks, to the Day of the Dead masks, to the masks worn by Mexican lucha libre fighters, masks play an important role in the human imagination’s expression of the sacred, the performing arts, and the festive.

African Masks

In African traditions, the mask was used in most ceremonies: initiation into adulthood, fertility rites, and religious or funeral celebrations. In addition, throughout Africa masks were used in performances often linked to the tribe’s mythology.  It is believed that the person wearing the mask during the ceremony possessed the essence and the powers of the spirits or ancestors symbolized by that mask.

In Africa most female masks are worn by men, masquerading as women. For instance, the men of the Chokwe of Angola use a beautiful mask called Mwana pwo to represent female ancestors and emphasize their standard of beauty.  The dance associated with their ceremony portrays the graceful gestures of women and transmits fertility to the spectators.

The women of the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone are an exception to this rule. They have their own secret society to which no men are admitted.  Their society, the Sande, protects and instructs women.  The masks they wear represent their ideals of female beauty and morality.

In Ghana, masks are given to newlyweds for protection and guidance; masks are used in ceremonies that settle differences between communities; masks are worn to consult the oracle for guidance; and of course masks are worn during initiation into secret societies.

Novica, in association with National Georgraphic, is a great spot to view masks from Ghana.  They offer African masks for sale.

The Musée Dapper in Paris, maintains a permanent exhibition of masks from Africa.  Visit their online gallery to view some examples.

Mexican Masks

In Mexico, masks have been used in ceremony and ritual since 3000 BC.

Three distinctive styles developed in pre-Hispanic times.  The Mexcala region, in what is now northeast Guerrero. developed masks devoid of all expressive qualities; they were probably used as funerary masks.

The Olmecs used jade, serpentine, quartzite and onyx in the creation of their own unique mask style.  The Olmecs rarely created masks in which human identity was overshadowed by an animal or deity.

In the Valley of Mexico, one finds the third group of masks.  Most of the masks from this area are ceramic and pay homage to the Gods.

The surviving murals at Teotihuacan illustrate gods or priests wearing elaborate feather headdresses mounted over masks. Even those who were to be sacrificed to the gods wore masks. And in the Bonampak murals entertainers and musicians wear fanciful masks depicting everything from animals to sea creatures.

After the Spanish conquest, the merging of cultures could been seen in the masks.  Until recently, masks were used in village festivals honoring their saint’s day, and major Christian holidays.  As these traditional uses began to disappear, the creation of masks for sale began to take on more importance.

At markets throughout Mexico you’ll find masks in the folk art tradition which combine human and animal features: jaguars, birds, bats and alligators. This new approach to maskmaking has caused an explosion of different forms and styles to take place.

But even today masks are used in ceremonies and traditions in all parts of Mexico.  From the elaborate celebrations surrounding Dia de los Muertos and Semana Santa to the secular realm of  popular wrestling (Lucha Libre) Mexicans don masks and transform themselves into gods, devils and superheros.

An interesting assortment of mexican masks with comments on their origins and meanings can be found at  the Mask Monger.

The Art of Mexico is a great site where you can view or purchase modern mexican masks and art.

Make a mask of your own and transform yourself into your favorite animal, mythical figure, or god.