Unmasking the mystery of african tribal masks

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Sat, Jun 29 2013 06:01:42

adrielsally

Unmasking The Mystery Of African Tribal Masks

The Printable Mask Shop, an online shop specializing in printable masks for kids, animal masks, masquerade masks, African tribal masks, animal mask templates etc.

The enthusiasm of life is reckoned by celebrations that could take various forms according

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to the whim and vigor of each culture, religion, region and individuals. The carnivals are one such occasion that is celebrated for any reason from spiritual, harvesting or even to honor the spirits of ancesto

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1 The history of carnival celebrations demonstrates that it is an amalgamation of two cross-

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cultural exchanges. Total views

The exquisiteness of African Tribal Masks: While the origin of masks can be traced down with Europeans it is the inimitability of the

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African tribal mask that makes it more popular. While the European masks are often used to hide a person's identity their equivalent in Africa represents and bring alive some sort of spirit. The distinctiveness of the masks is so popular that it had even intrigued a genius like Pablo Picasso. He was fascinated by them after he chanced upon in the Museum of Comparative Sculpture which was a wing of the Trocadero Palais. He believed that giving form to the spirits and helping set them free would in turn set the humans free. The opulence in the diverse varieties: The African tribal masks are unique to each tribe and the shape and accessories have unique meanings for the speckled culture. It is through these masked dances that the moral lessons are taught to the people. The Animal masks are the most popular ones from the region that is believed to connect people to spirits that inhabits the forests and savannas. The animals that are predominantly replicated are crocodiles, hawks and the buffalo. The Bua and Nuna people of Burkino Faso conjure the spirits to ward off destruction, the Dogon of Mali that is set to have complex religious beliefs are quite guarded about their ceremonies but an outsider can get to see their dance of antelope masks. The antelope's masks can be seen even in the region of Bamana, Mali who believed that farming was taught by the antelopes. To them the horns on the masks are said to represent the sprouting of grain. The idea of the feminine beauty that is important to each culture of the region is also a source of inspiration in making the mask. For instance, in the region of Punu of Gabon, the female masks have highly arched brows with an almond shaped eyes and a narrow chin. The story behind the popular Idia' s mask from Benin is that the king wanted a mask that was life-like one with a deep set eyes, full lips and a wide forehead to be made in honor of his deceased mother. The African Tribal Mask and Home Decor: With its growing popularity, the African tribal masks are slowly finding its way in the as they are made of eco-friendly materials like stone, pottery and many such materials. In addition to that, the African baskets that are intricately hand woven, figurines and pottery are few of the on demand products from the region. The Printable Mask Shop, an online shop specializing in printable masks for kids, animal masks, masquerade masks, african tribal masks, animal mask templates etc. If you want Generated with www.html-to-pdf.net

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to purchase one for any special occasion then visit us The Printable Mask Shop.

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