AFRICAN ART

AFRICAN TRIBAL WOODEN MASKS

Wooden masks, which might either be human or animal or of mythical creatures, are one of the most commonly found forms of art in western Africa. In their original contexts, ceremonial masks are used for celebrations, initiations, crop harvesting, and war preparation. The masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer. During the mask ceremony the dancer goes into deep trance, and during this state of mind he "communicates" with his ancestors. 

AFRICAN MASK

 

 The masks can be worn in three different ways: vertically covering the face: as helmets, encasing the entire head, and as crest, resting upon the head, which was commonly covered by material as part of the disguise. African masks often represent a spirit and it is strongly believed that the spirit of the ancestors possesses the wearer. 

Kanaga Mask Dancer, Dogon, Mali

  Most African masks are made with wood, and can be decorated with: Ivory, animal hair, plant fibers (such as raffia), pigments (like kaolin), stones, and semi-precious gems also are included in the masks. They are also commonly made from materials such as light stones like steatite, metals such as copper or bronze, different types of fabric, pottery, and more. Some masks are painted (for example using ochre or other natural colorants). A wide array of ornamental items can be applied to the mask surface; example include animal hair, horns, or teeth, sea shells, seeds, straws, egg shell, and feathers. For example, animal hair or straws are often used for a mask's hair or beard.

Hand Carved African Mask - Mara People of Kenya

 An unusual African hand carved wooden giraffe mask that originates from Kenya and is hand carved by the maasai (masai) mara tribal people. The African giraffe mask is 30 cm tall and carved with the natural shape of the African giraffe face and then hand painted. This African giraffe mask has become a favorable choice for many African collectors and sits well with the zebra mask that is hand carved in the same realistic animal style. This will be used for decoration.

Fairtrade African Mask

 Most African Masks would be fair trade because they will use objects that havent harmed animals or people or such other things. This particular one is fair trade, made from wood, carved with stone and painted with colouring that comes from plants. This mask is a typical  example of a African Tribal celebration mask.

Traditional Wooden Mask

This is a traditional West African Wooden mask. Made by the people of Senegal, in the village of Dakar, these masks are hand carved made from wood and copper. West African Masks have been made for centuries to wear at times of celebration, to warn-off evil spirits and to connect with ancestors. Its been carved from wood but embellished with copper around the head to make the hair. It then gets polished an worn to ceremonies.

Female African Wooden Mask

This particular African 'Dan Mask' is either from the people of Liberia or the Ivory Coast. The mask is female, due to the long hair, and is worn to ceremonies. It is made again from wood that has been hand carved using a stone, and the hair is made by weaving dried grass into it.

African Wooden Mask - Ivory Coast

Here is another mask from the Ivory Coast, this time for an African male. It has a multi-animal theme, made from many different tusks. The horns come from Antelopes, the tusks come from Elephants and on the top are two stooping birds. Its then been painted vibrantly to show the bright celebration, carnival colours.

Traditional African Wooden Mask

From either the late 19th Century or the early 20th, this mask is by the people of either Angola or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Again, it is a hand carved wooden mask embellished with wooden fibre beads and pigment. This mask is very interesting because usually the hair is made from animal hair but instead it has been substituted for wooden beads instead. It has also been decorated and painted.

Mukenga Decorated Tribal Mask

I love this mask! It comes from the Makenga people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its made from CE wood and embellished with glass beads, cowrie shells, feathers, raffia fur, fabric, string and bells. This mask is a lot more elaborate than many other tribal masks which I think is because of the resources avaliable to make it. Most african masks are made from earthy products and animals, so this tells me this is much more contemporary. 

Take a look at this website to see some more examples of African Tribal masks. There are some really interesting examples on here: http://pinterest.com/ronnieshumate/wood-mask/

AFRICAN TRIBAL SHIELDS

In the past, African shields were designed to offer protection during combat. Small, lightweight shields offered greater mobility for close combat, and large, heavier ones provided more protection during ground battles. The patterns and designs on the shield indicated the person’s rank and status on the battlefield, as well as the ethnic group he belonged to.

Shields were also used as accessories in initiation, funeral, and dance ceremonies. A variety of materials were used like animal hides which provided strength and durability; wicker, a lightweight material used for weaving; wood which was sculpted into smooth shapes and carved with designs, and metal. Pity these glorious shields can’t protect us from the relentless sounds of the vuvuzelas.

Maasai Tribe Warrior with Shield

Maasai Men with Tribal Shields

 

Maasai Tribal Shield

The Maasai people are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known of African ethnic groups, due to their residence near the many game parks of East Africa, and their distinctive customs and dress - red. Their shields are used for battle or ceremonies. They are destinctivley made in red, black and white as that is their tribal colouring. They are made from animal fur and hair.

Tribal Shield

This hand made North African tribal shield is made from zebra hair and elephant hyde. Its hand painted and sculpted and decorated with natural ingredients from the African plains. The people of North Africa make the tribe themselves using a base from a tree stump. The patterns and colours define the tribe they are part of or the status of that tribal member.

Zulu Warrior Shield

African hand crafted Warrior shields are made from top quality natural animal hide in various colours and patterns. Generally they have a very earthy coloured theme, which is interesting consdering the Zulu's are well known for their bright beaded jewellery. This particular shield is known as a war shiled and is only used when in battle with other tribes. Zulu shields are very particular, always knowing what tribe they are from when seeing people with this shield. Shields are a very important part of someone who belongs to the Zulu tribe.

Zulu Tribe Shield

Zulu tribe shields of the Zulu peoples of southern Africa have a variety of traditional functions and designs. They are are also commercially available and sought after as collectors' items or for decoration. Projects for Zulu tribe shields are most effective when they inform people of the role, meaning or history of the shields.

Kenyan Wood Dance Shield

This North African tribal shield is from the Kikuyu people of Kenya. It is known as an African Wood Dance Shield and is hand made from animal skin. Some parts of skin still has hairs attached. Its finished off with narrow parts of skin, parchment, paint and wood. It is all handmade. 

Looking at African tribal shields has given me a huge insight on the patterns and textures within the African Tribes. I have learnt that the colour schemes are earthy and natural, in the same way that they are made. I have also learnt that there are specific styles and patterns for particular tribes, so when looking at the Zulu tribe when designing my looks, I know that I would have to use a partciluar design to emphasise the tribe and suggest the status of the tribal person.