African masks and serious meanings: 8 types of masks

A culture of two diverse African povos is very rich in symbolic elements. An African mask is one of the manifestations that has this character.

In a large part of tribal societies, the masks are used as ferments of connection with the spiritual universe. It is through them that we grow up with archetypes, supernatural forces and ancestors.

The additions are associated with the populations of sub-Saarian African countries, or others, which are located in the Desert of Saara, and make up the greater part of the continent.

African masks as symbolic dressings

Traditionally used em rituals and cerimôniasThe African masks are very diversified, with each one of them having a specific meaning and purpose.

Confira 8 types of masks, their povos and regions of origin, apart from their purposes.

1. Masks em madeira do povo Fang

As Fang masks, originating from Gabão e Camarões, have minimalist characteristics, presenting small olhos and many-time non-existent mouths. As above, they are tied to the nose and long.

Made like masks NgilThese peças were used in initiation ceremonies and other rituals, and can only be placed by members of the tribesmen.

They are as raw material to wood, being more common or I use ebony, mogno and jacaranda. Also browse the objects produced by artisans and marketed for foreign countries.

There are objects that European vanguard artists, such as Pablo Picasso and Matisse, seek inspiration for the construction of an innovative western art.

2. Bronze masks from the region of Ifé

A city of Ifé, in Nigéria, is the old capital of povo Iorubá. Nessa região foram found some exemplars of feitas metal masks.

São objects of cunho naturalista, or that await curiosity of two ocidentais, because these masks, Specifically, it exhibits a very different appearance of art produced in other places where continent.

Regardless of the mask shown here, it was created for the purpose of being used in funeral rites. Supõe-seja a representation of a royal figure of Ifé. It is worth noting that all the iorubás masks have these characteristics.

3. Do povo Tchokwe feminine figure mask

Or povo Tchokwe, originating from the Angola region, or responsible for the creation of masks Chihongo and Pwo.

These peças represent feminine figures, tracing assimus or conception of fertility. Carregam still designs on the face representing scarifications and traditional tattoos of the povo. The elements that appear most of the face are related to tears.

Or curious that the ceremonies are on display, as soon as you can wear the masks. The dress is also a feitous costume with natural elements, such as fibers, as well as feitos em madeira.

4. Duas faces do povo Ekoi mask

O povo Ekoi (present in Nigéria e Camarões) produced a very peculiar kind of mask. There are figures that display two opposite and symmetrical faces, large chiffons and the appearance of carrancas, signifying power and rigidity.

Also, the trazem symbols on the face as the scarifications present to our own bodies two individuals.

A main characteristic of two faces is the presence of two faces. This particularity represents the opposing forces present in the universe, such as masculine and feminine; or earthly and spiritual domain, two living and two dead, within other conceptions of duality.

They were masks traditionally used in special events such as initiation rites and funeral ceremonies.

5. Elephant mask do povo Bamileque

This curious and traditional mask of the Bamileque people, one of the various ethnic groups present in the Camarões region, in Central Africa.

Or adornment, richly embroidered with miçangas, it can only be dressed by specific people, generally belonging to royalty, and other escolhidos.

Isso because a peça symbolizes or power, represented by the figure of the elephant. Other animais like o leopard and o buffalo also are symbols of power for o povo Bamileque

6. Egungun do povo Iorubá mask

O povo Iorubá has a very rich and diversified culture. The ethnic group is found in the regions of Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

To mask egungun é uma criação iorubá that binds to ideias of life behind death. Or dressing up large orelhas with the figure of the coelho. Or animal is associated with practical notices and the power to prevent further influences, because of the mask and used only at night.

We ritualize that you are exhibited, or member of the community that you wear, symbolizes your ancestors, that you will leave for the world two mortos and return to visit the alive ones and help in health problems and disputes over territory.

7. Mask do povo Bwa

O povo Bwa is a sub-group dos povos Bobo. They live in the region of Burkina Faso and have their traditional cultural manifestations of masks in plaque format.

These masks symbolize instruments of connection between the jungle universe and the social universe. They inter-agency balancing forces and tracing understanding and peace.

Nesse type of dressing we observe or use of geometric patterns where it can be affirmed that they are related to water and land.

At the top there is an element that can be read as or meaning of a present country in the region, called Calao-Grande, important for various African populations. Já, apart from low, remete à coruja, clairvoyant animal.

This mask can be used both in celebrations of initiation, as in funeral events and even in commercial negotiations.

8. Gueledé do povo Iorubá masks

As gueledé masks are related to divindade conhecida as Iyá Nlá, wife Obatala. Essa divindade is considered "great mãe", a "mãe-natureza", a breeder of all.

In the iorubá culture, these fish are used during the night, when there is no light on the ground. Além disso, you ritualize us in the presence of traditional dances.

In the appearance of such dressings, he puts his own povo, with a triangular and jumped nose, small queixos and a round face. It is also interesting to observe that the upper part of the mask has sculptures symbolizing different perspectives of the local culture.

You can also be interested:

• African Art
• Commented African Counts
• Body paint
• Indigenous art
• Rock art
• African and Afro-Brazilian dances

Bibliographic references:

BEVILACQUA, Juliana Ribeiro da Silva; SILVA, Renato Araújo gives. Africa in Arts. São Paulo: Museu Afro Brasil, 2015.