African tribal
masks contain varied characteristics
African cultures practise tribal masks for particular, culturally valuable reasons such as birth, dissolution, capacity and spiritual needs. Mask characteristics administer clues to the culture and values of the tribe. If worn to Hold, denote government or bring the tribe deluxe fortune, a mask's attributes assist distinguish a tribe's culture. Although the physical characteristics of a mask can vary among tribes, general elements exist.
Large masks may be designed to cover the entire head and rest on the shoulders from large, hollow tree trunk sections. Leather and fabric also provide the material for some masks. Whatever the base material, artisans embellish masks with native elements such as animal hair and horn, bone, stones, shells and plant dyes.
Animal and Human Characteristics
African masks may encompass animal, human or combined characteristics. Masks recurrently involve characteristics of the native animals thought To possess a spiritual connection to the tribe. Human features derived from local cultural and spiritual characters provide the features for other masks. Often, the masks contain some combination of human and animal characteristics. Tribe members often wear the mask of an ancestor. Artisans most often add animal horns or tusks to otherwise human feature masks. Exaggerated features are another common African tribal mask element. The masks often have extremely large lips and bulging eye sockets. The ear and nose features are often also enlarged or elongated.
Materials
Craftsmen make the masks from a variety of materials, often based on what is available from their surroundings. Native wood is the most common material used in mask making.
