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Masks are a prominent feature of African cultural heritage. The history, use, and symbolism of masks vary across national, ethnic, and cultural identities. In West Africa, masking traditions are closely linked with the history of masquerades. Dogon Masks and Ceremonial Costumes
The Benin ivory mask is a miniature sculptural portrait in ivory of Idia, the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of the 16th century Benin Empire, taking the form of a traditional African mask. [1] The masks were looted by the British from the palace of the Oba of Benin in the Benin Expedition of 1897 .
The Woyo masks are typically made out of wood, and painted with contrasting colors, often in dots. The colors used had symbolic meaning and were sometimes repainted, symbolizing rebirth, or to restore the power of the mask. [1] They were worn in ceremonial dances known as the ndunga. They are also decorated with sacred objects known as nkissi. [2]
African Art Museum of the SMA Fathers at Tenafly, New Jersey: The Legend of Chi Wara. www.masksoftheworld.com: Chi Wara mask images. Library of the University of Virginia: Africa Masks exhibit. Includes images and description of one male and one female mask. Humboldt State University: gallery of Chi Wara and other Bambara dancers.
Zaouli or Zawli is a traditional dance of the Guro people (who speak the Guro language) of central Ivory Coast.The Zaouli mask, used in the dance, was created in the 1950s, reportedly inspired by a girl named "Djela Lou Zaouli" (meaning "Zaouli, daughter of Djela"). [1]
The masks also appear during baga-bundo rites performed by small numbers of masqueraders before the burial of a male Dogon. Dogon masks evoke the form of animals associated with their mythology, yet their significance is only understood by the highest ranking cult members whose role is to explain the meaning of each mask to a captivated audience.
The mask is represented both in male and female form. The male version is the most numerous. [4] Kanaga is represented on the flag of French Sudan (1892–1958) and the ephemeral Republic of Sudan (1958–1959). As well as that of the Federation of Mali (1959–1960) grouping Senegal and the Sudanese Republic.
The Bobo use masks in three major contexts: masks appear at harvest time in annual rites called birewa dâga. Masks participate in the male initiation, named yele dâga, which is their major function. Finally, they participate in the burial (syebi) and the funeral rites (syekwe) of people who have been killed by Dwo, or of the elder priests of Dwo.
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