African Tribal Masks.

African tribal MasksAfrican tribal affects are true archaeologic treasures as they represent precise culture , customs and traditions . tribal veils help scientists and researchers to understand better African culture and to shit mysterious rituals and ceremonies . Tribal covers are entailed with different role in African society as specific masks were created to serve specific tasks . Actually , tribal masks made African culture cognize in the Western countries . When creating masks , African craftsmen found inspiration in worship of ancestors (Chokwe , Bena Lulua tribes , funeral rituals (Punu and Bakota tribes , etc . Africans created masks for craw and agricultural trains , law enforcement , healing , debar disasters , struggle , exorcism and welcoming chiefs (African Masks , Tribal Art and Sculptures 2000Africans believed that eccentric masks should express moral , social and religious issues . In opposite words , tribal masks represented the personification of sprightliness which was lead story in the village . The spirit expressed by the mask was called dancer or wearer and his task was to remind villagers about their responsibilities and rules . Africans believed that give masks defended their society against misfortune and affliction as well as they helped to solve problems and to punish for wrong actions . However , the primary purpose of the mask was believed to show the appreciation of birth , death , harvest , etc (Nagle 1993Masks were usually made of traditional materials - of wood , but sometimes additional materials were added to increase the power of the mask . For example , craftsmen of Tikar and Marka tribes starter sheet of metal , shells , etc , whereas tribes of Chokwe tended to used nails , feathers , animal fur and manipulate skin . Many African tribes thought that mirrors had special substance as they reflected the sun and had the power to fight evil inspirit . Shells and glass were used for similar purposes . Shells symbolized fertility as they resembled female person exterior genitalia . Cowry shells were used to show that the mask is blessed with wealth .

Feather masks were used in war and danger as the wearer could defend and fight successfully (African Masks , Tribal Art and Sculptures 2000Further , Africans believed that masks possessed magical brawniness spiritual energy , wisdom and power and very often masks were used to value to tribal members health and well being . As it is mentioned in a higher place , African masks represented the spirit of ancestors who possessed the person who wore the mask . When working on a mask , craftsmen had to choose a soft and light tree , then to perform ceremonies to root down the spirit of the fallen tree offering yield . Craftsmen worked in secrecy as Africans believed that masks were created by supernatural forces , not by humans (Nagle 1993It is necessary to admit that masks were thought to bring its magical and supernatural power by and by the cock is free . After the sacrifice the mask was given life and spirit could live in it . During traditional rituals and ceremonies masks were kept away from ballpark people or they were placed in nearby caves . African tribal masks made of bark were often burnt after the end of the...If you want to get a full essay, format it on our website: Orderessay

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