African masks

Bangende mask. Cotton, cowrie shell, beads, raffia, wood 
 Democratic Republic of Congo. From the collection of the Horniman Museum 

The only time I had a chance to have a closer look at African masks was during my visits to the British and Horniman Museums in London. The masks definitely left a strong impression on me...some looked really scary, some were beautiful in their own unique way and others struck with skillfulness and complexity of handicraft work. African masks are not something you can easily forget once you have seen them. Sometimes masks are a realistic representation of the human or animal head but more often they are carved in an exaggerated or distorted way designed to suggest a supernatural presence.

Wooden mask in the form of an elongated face, with incised decoration covering the surface. Songye, Democratic Republic of Congo. From the collection of the Horniman Museum

There is no way to know when masking began in Africa but the presence of masks in rock paintings suggests that it is likely a very ancient tradition. There are many tens of thousands of masks in existance today, both in Africa and in collections worldwide. They differ from one another in so many different ways: they can represent human, animal or spirit as well as male or female; they can be gigantic or very small; be made of wood, metal or ivory. Some masks are meant to be used in public performances and private rituals such as coming of age ceremonies, funerals, harvest celebrations while the purpose of others is to be used as charms or amulets to cure illness or to offer protection during work or travel.

Man's head mask made of wood, hair (human), wax. Made by Makonde, Mozambique. The British Museum

Masquerade mask made of fibre and abrus seeds. Nigeria, Plateau, Jos. The British Museum

Wood is the most common material used for making African masks. And that's why most of the masks available for study are no more than 100 years old: because wood rarely lasts longer than that in a tropical climate. Besides wood, masks can be made of ivory or metals and embellished with beads. They might be further decorated by painting or attaching such materials as feathers, horns, shells, fibre etc. Another kind of natural material used in mask making is the skin of animals, stretched tautly over carved wood masks, oiled and polished and given finishing cosmetic touches to appear quite realistic.

Circumcision mask (with plaits) made of wood, fibre (raffia), cloth (raffia). Pende people, Democratic Republic of Congo. The British Museum  

Face-shaped mask made of wood, fur, skin (monkey, +fur), raffia, with a fibre fringe or 'beard' and three fur horns. Tetela people, Democratic Republic of Congo. The British Museum

The shape of a mask is traditional and not subject to the stylistic taste of its maker. African masks can be designed to cover the head, just the face or be used as a headdress that is attached to the top of the head.

Gelede mask made of coloured wood in the form of a head with figures on top. Yoruba people, Nigeria, 19th century. The British Museum

The simpliest style of mask covers only the face but may be of unnatural size covering the chest or rising high into the air. Masks of this type are the easiest to carve from a flat piece of wood. The carving of "helmet" masks which cover the entire head requires a greater level of skill. It demands the hollowing out of a block of wood as well as the carving of the features. Some helmet masks support tall, carved superstructures. A third type of mask is worn on the crown of the head. While some of these are shaped like a head others project horizontally to represent water spirits.

Wood and fibre dance mask, carved with an articulated jaw. Ibibio people, Nigeria. The British Museum

The strong role masks once played in social life is much gone today. Many masks are being made for sale to tourists and some are being deliberately faked. Masking festivals are now held as public displays only and masking troupes are brought in trucks from villages to perform briefly at expensive city hotels.

References:
Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, Volume 1: Africa.
African Hats and Jewelry by Duncan Clarke
Craft Traditions of the World by Bryan and Polly Sentance
The Art of  African Masks. Exploring Cultural Traditions by Carol Finley

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