To help keep the maskers identity disguised, a costume made of raffia or grass is attached to a headdress to cover his or her face. An artist will often make the mask in private. These are usually the dangerous nature spirits . Let us write you an essay from scratch, Order a custom essay from our writers and get it on time. How do the sizes, colors, and textures compare? This Luba dance mask is worn over the head like a helmet. When these features are brought together on a mask, the powers of each also are combined. Sometimes this spirit can be of another person, such as an ancestor. why do african masquerades chase you little tikes hide & seek climber. It is obvious that American and Japanese culture are very different. African Masquerades. Perani, Judith and Fred T. Smith. Some are made of carved wood, suchas the towering masks of the Dogon people of Mali. The Function of an African Mask. A mask carver is always male and usually holds an important status among his people. 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help you just now, Africa, as a continent, has been of very little appeal and remained very much unnoticed. Why do masquerades chase you? The identity of the spirit takes over. Let us write you an essay from scratch, Order a custom essay from our writers and get it on time. Get an expert to write you the one you need! Defining nouveau cirque by [], Theater has been apart of history for many years and has had big influences. The Senufo belief in the masquerade was to fight evil-minded spirits with their powerful forms. Animal masks are also used, mostly for ceremonies that ask for support in the fertility of the land during harvest. Latest Oldest. The cloth hood and panels are decorated with beads and raffia. If they see you walking with food, you can be sure that they will start to chase you. Young squirrels chase each other as a form of "playing.". The Epa masqueraders of the Ekiti-Yoruba wear heavy helmet masks and are limited in their movements. Why do hunters appreciate their kills than none hunters? We will occasionally send you account related emails. The importance of masquerades and masks is also shown constantly through important ceremonies like funerals, initiations and representation of the cultures history. Sometimes masks combine attributes from different animals or even combine human and animal features. The appearance of masquerades is not a daily phenomenon, but rather their appearance signifies the return of the ancestor to the human form or when the society requires the use of the masquerades power to control an aspect within the society. Masks are also linked withSECRET SOCIETIES. They S. african masquerade chase why do african masquerades chase you - m-onestudio.com The masquerades show a range of behaviors; human, animal that can either stimulate the audience or create fear in the people. In some African cultures, a spirit inhabits a mask upon its creation. Not only was the masquerades use as protectors but also as funeral practices. People in many societies believe that spirits become visible and performthrough masquerades. The African mask is a dramatic device enabling performers to stand apart from their everyday role in society and wearers are often chosen for special characteristics or qualities they have attained or been initiated into. Some kinds of spectacle--aristocratic funerals, triumphal processions, together with banquets, corresponding to --shot as a result of their background the metropolis. The dynamics may be similar to dogs who chase the mailman. African Masquerades Although audience members know that a human being is behind the mask, they accept that the spirit of the mask is present. This Hemba mask has half-human, half-chimpanzee features and was used at funerals to symbolize death. The Portuguese search, on route to the Indies and East, led to modern European interference with the African continent, around 1450. However, the introduction of Islam and Christianity in the African society introduced a new relationship between the living and the dead. They are less common in northern, eastern,and southern Africa, although they occur among a few groups in theseregions. Masquerades also are performed at harvest time to honor farming spirits and promote a successful harvest. Masquerade ball - Wikipedia This is the whole bane of the encounter because if you show fear, they will take advantage of that to harass you into doing what they want. The artist darkened the woods natural color. ADD a REPLY to this post. Bwa plank masks are performed at funerals, initiation ceremonies, and agricultural festivals. Why do bears chase you if you run but not if you walk? - Quora West African Masquerades. The masked spirit appears to the community in a music and dance performance known as a masquerade. The metropolitan museum of art mentions that in 1935 a French anthropologist named Marcel Griaule witnessed a Dama ritual in which twenty-nine out of a total of seventy-four masks were of the Kanaga type. Although the women were believed to be the first masqueraders, they are excluded in taking part of the masquerades. The maskers used Large masks of creatures that usually compiled characteristics of, human, antelope, crocodile, warthog, and hyena. The masks were also used as ways to honor the dead, living, religions as to personify Gods. A mask is often made from a single piece of wood. Masquerades play a central role in many cultures inwestern and central Africa. This abstract form has been interpreted on two levels: literally, as a representation of a bird, and, on a more esoteric level, as a symbol of the creative force of god and the arrangement of the universe. The masks used in such performances may betreasured as works of art. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/the-importance-of-the-african-masquerades-in-the-determination-and-control-of-society/. The African concept of the masquerade differs with the European view of the same. They often perform songs and dance to accompany the masker. In other countries, masqueradeshave been incorporated into the routines of national dancetroupes. In addition, their festivals are unique since the females alternate their male counterparts in a three-year period (Okagbue, 2013). Recursively sort the rest of the list, then insert the one left-over item where it belongs in the list, like adding a card to the hand you've already sorted in a card game, or putting a book away in a sorted bookshelf. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. Masquerades carry great religious and cultural significance for participants including the enthralled and connected audience. They are programmed by instinct to protect their flock from competing roosters and protect their hens and chicks from predators, even humans. This Mwana Pwo (young woman) mask represents the female ancestor of the Chokwe people. assgnmt would you rather have this type of theater (african masquerades) or modern theater we have in the states and why? Masked spirits can provide protection and help maintain social order. The masquerades in the Photography equipment perspective will vary roles that support a healthier world through relating the deceased and the living. A masquerade is the name given to occasions in which masks are worn, the ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations for which they are designed. Masquerade is commonly mistaken for secular or entertainment purposes but for African culture, the masquerade was used for spiritual or ancestral representations and is a big element in the African culture. Some traditional masquerades, such as Dogon funerals, areoccasionally performed for tourists. Required fields are marked *. This practice is not selfishness or passivity; this practice is self-preservation. Follow 1. Sometimes the spirits movements are unpredictable. Idea Two: Men and women play different roles A double-barred cross with short vertical elements projecting from the ends of the horizontal bars. The others had been saved at purposebuilt spectator [], Abortion has always been practiced since ancient times, bringing forth the idea of removing a fetus from a womans body. This is the whole bane of the encounter because if you show fear, they will take advantage of that to harass you into doing what they want. Therefore, they were called upon to offer both legislative and executive functions. The masquerades are believed to help guide the deceased souls into the land of the dead whereas ancestors they can help the living by promoting agriculture. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below: By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. 10 things Nigeria does better than anywhere else | CNN Travel He understands you're not to be messed with. A specific mask called Satimbe was made to represent all women and signifies sister on the head. In the traditional African setting, several beliefs and myths were considered to have both control and guidance of how the community was to live. In Yorubaland, during the ceremony of the crowning of an oba (king), the ruler must lead a procession through the town, dancing. A masquerade ceremony (or masked rite, festival, procession or dance) is a cultural or religious event involving the wearing of masks. The style of the dance depends on which kind of mask is used. When squirrels chase one another, it is often a form of defense against other rival squirrels. The spirits being masqueraded can exhibit power at extreme ends; weak and very strong. snap.berkeley.edu Each mask has its own importance and represents different aspect of the Kuba society. Fig 1. Masquerade ceremony - Wikipedia Women are powerful in their communities because they are able to give birth. It represents an ideal woman and was probably worn in ritual dances associated with fertility. Masks can be grouped into three main forms: face masks, helmet masks, and headresses. What is fascinating about the Dogon culture is that they recognize women as the first masqueraders because it is believed that women were the first to imitate spirit maskers. Gradesfixer, The Importance of the African Masquerades in the Determination and Control of Society., The Importance of the African Masquerades in the Determination and Control of Society [Internet]. This essay argues that the African Masquerades were important in the determination of and control of the society. It supported their learning of new roles and guided the initiates as they supported the community. This mask has carefully filed teeth, a sign of beauty among the Yombe people. Let's fix your grades together! Men dancer at boys initiation ceremonies and at burial sites usually wears the mask, which is why the pwoom itok mask serves as an important part of Kuba Society. However, it is imperative to note that the spirits carried out the functions in conjunction with the different groups of people; the Edion (elders), the Ohen (priest). Makishi dancer. Masquerades also play a large role in funeral ceremonies. This Kuba mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo represents a horned forest spirit. This Sande Society mask represents a water spirit, sowei. What Is the Purpose of the Masquerades & Their Meanings? Especially if that kill was a lion or something like that. Chasing a great woman who knows how to make men chase her is every man's dream. Bwoom is characterized by its bulging forehead and is also known as the helmet mask and is said to symbolize indigenous people with kingship, the Bwoom mask also is the brother and contender to Mwashamboy. Copyright 2021 - Right for Education Foundation. The masks used in such performances may be treasured as works of art. Get your custom essay. The material used could be tie and dye, Ankara a Ghanaian fabric, cotton, silk, damask, polyester or . Most masks are made of carved wood and feature engravings, such as the one created by the Dogon people of Mali, pictured above. The feminine mask often represents pretty or more beautiful features compared to those of which are more masculine. However, their types of masks were symbolic (Olupona, 2014). why do african masquerades chase you This usually means communicating with ancestors and spirits, representing their community in doing so. Elders wear masks to call upon ancestors spirits when they need assistance in judging a crime. Common characteristics of the pwoom itok mask are also prominent colors and feathers. What to Do When Aggression Masquerades as Compassion A cockroach can feel the change in air current and change in the surroundings, and when they encounter us, they look in their surroundings, looks for a place from where they can escape, and then chase you, scare you, and make a run toward the escape. Masquerade performances honor spirits who bring prosperity to a community. About the Horniman The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share. Masquerades reclaim the African heritage that was lost during colonial times, by embracing the spirit of African culture and customs and giving meaning to aspects of Africa's history. They most likely used these strong aggressive creatures in their mask to fight malevolent spirits, witchcraft, sorcery and wandering spirits. All rights reserved. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. Women began getting raped and didnt want to have the child of their rapist which [], Kooza first premiered in 2007 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada where circus conglomerate Cirque du Soleil, the largest theatrical producer on this earth round, was founded in 1983 as part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Jacques Cariters voyage to Canada. In some instances, several masquerades converge to perform at a festival especially during a prominent personality funeral. The Kubas king court three masks are shown to be displayed there, Mwashamboy, Bwoom, and Ngady. The person is also usually seen with a vest that has black, red and white embroidered clothing. Write down the differences and the similarities. The Sande Society is a society of women responsible for teaching young girls the skills and knowledge to become a woman. This essay has been submitted by a student. Second, since the no society is devoid of conflicts, they act as judges in arbitration, negotiation, and settlement of disputes. Among the Hemba of the Congo region, for example, a figure masked asdeath appears in two funeral masquerades. Many masks depict animal hybrids, combining features of several animals on one mask. Usually when the mask is worn the individuals head is covered with a hood like with plaited fiber fringe at the end. His This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Other masks take the form of powerful animals that are important to the community, such as an elephant, antelope, or hawk. )Less formal "costume parties" may be a descendant of this tradition.A masquerade ball usually encompasses music and dancing. How are the ways you use masks different from the way they are used in traditional Africa? These nighttime events are used for entertainment and celebrations. The Dan of Ivory Coast and the Ibo of Nigeria believe thatthe spirits of the forest act out masquerades. Masks come in a variety of sizes. The type of mask influences the style of the masquerade dance. The face mask is the most common form and usually curves over the maskers face, stopping right before the ears. Your email address will not be published. As the priestess, they represent the spirits of the dead and support the community in understanding the connection between the living and the dead. To help the deceased enter the afterlife, masked spirits appear to honor ancestors, provide protection, and offer guidance.

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