Masks from Around the World
It is unclear exactly when humans first starting using masks, but there is
evidence of them even in prehistoric cave art. There are numerous styles
of masks around the world, and they are used for a variety of purposes.
Most began with a religious, ritualistic, and/or social purpose. Some
masks are considered to be alive and possess great power, whereas others
may mark a rite of passage, such as that from childhood to adulthood. Some
funerary masks are used to help the spirit find the correct body, and
others are meant to keep the spirit from possessing the body. In
contemporary western society, masks are commonly used in role playing for
theatrical or holiday festivities. The purposes of masks are numerous, but
the human need for them is perhaps universal.
North American
Burial Mask
Wood, animal teeth
Inuit/Eskimo
Kotzebue, Alaska
Late 19th century
Cordle collection
This mask and mask MAC 1966-0694 were collected by the donors while
working among native communities in Alaska in the early 20th century. They
were reportedly used as "death masks," or burial masks. The Inuit use
death masks to place over the face of a deceased person before burial. If
the deceased person was a shaman, then the eyes in the mask would be
blocked so evil spirits could not invade the empty body.
MAC 1966-0214
Burial Mask
Wood, ivory, bone
Inuit/Eskimo
Kotzebue, Alaska
Late 19th century
Cordle collection
This mask and mask MAC 1966-0214 were collected by the donors while
working among native communities in Alaska in the early 20th century. They
were reportedly used as "death masks," or burial masks. The Inuit use
death masks to place over the face of a deceased person before burial. If
the deceased person was a shaman, then the eyes in the mask would be
blocked so evil spirits could not invade the empty body.
MAC 1966-0694
"Shaman's" Mask
Wood
Inuit/Eskimo
Alaska
Early 20th century
Mitchell collection
Shamans' masks traditionally were carved to represent an individual's
helping spirit. Depending on the tribe, this could be represented as an
animal, a human, or a combination of both. Shamans' masks were usually
used in dances, but were also sometimes worn while "working" to ensure
health, good hunting, and the like. This example was collected in Alaska
in 1903.
MAC 1966-0701
Replica False Face Mask
Wood, horsehair, copper, paint
Onondaga Iroquois
Canada
ca. 1960's
This replica mask represents the Protruding Tongue False Face masks of the
Onondaga. It was made solely for commercial purposes and was obtained from
the Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada in 1967. Traditional, sacred
versions of these kinds of masks are used as part of the Iroquois False
Face Society, a group of curers who wear masks carved into contorted
grimaces as part of their curing ritual.
Because they represent the spirit that appears to each individual in
dreams, there are many types of False Face masks. However, there are some
common features. These shared features include deep-set eyes that often
have metal plates; deep, arched eyebrows; large noses that are often bent;
a wig, usually made of long, black horsetail hair; and a contorted mouth.
The shape of the mouth varies depending on the function and mood. The
Protruding Tongue mask portrays pain.
Traditional masks are carved on a living basswood tree. If the tree was
chosen in the morning, the mask was painted red. If the tree was selected
in the afternoon, the mask was painted black. This goes back to the first
False Face's daily journey following the path of the sun.
MAC 1967-0567
Africa
Mask
Wood, fiber, cowrie shells, metal
Dan
Ivory Coast, Africa
ca. early 20th century
Mitchell collection
Masks and masquerading are important to the Dan, who live in Liberia and
the Ivory Coast. They believe that a mask has a spirit of its own. Some
are believed to hold the power to serve as a type of social control,
whereas others are used in skits, singing, and proverb telling. This mask
presents the idealized and stylized human features characteristic of most
Dan masks.
MAC 1999-0197
N'Tomo Mask
Wood, cowrie shells, glass beads
Bamana (Bambara)
Mali
The transition from childhood to adulthood is important to many African
groups and is often marked by complex initiation rituals. This type of
mask is used in the Bamana N'Tomo society, which functions to instruct
boys on circumcision, becoming an adult, and the creation myth.
MAC 1972-0010
Asia
Mask
Wood, Cloth
Tibet
20th century
In Tibet, there are generally two types of masks. One type is used and
worn in plays and dances. The other type is more of a stage prop and can
be used for a variety of purposes, including holding incense.
MAC 1982-0065
Mask
Wood, Paint
Tibet
ca. 1920s?
In Tibet, there are generally two types of masks. One type is used and
worn in plays and dances. The other type is more of a stage prop and can
be used for a variety of purposes, including holding incense.
MAC 1984-0030
Puppet Mask
(miniature)
Papier-mâché, felt, hair, twine
Japan, East Asia
early 20th century?
This is a miniature puppet version of a Shishi mask. A Shishi is a
mythical lion. Most Asian countries have some form of a shishimai, or lion
dance. Typically, two people hide under a cloth, which represents the
lion's body, and one person wears the mask and operates the moveable jaw.
MAC 1983-0040
South America
Devil Dance Mask
(two views)
Papier-mâché, plaster, glass, wood
Probably Aymara
Bolivia
ca. 1974
Poehlman collection
Devil masks such as this are worn during la Diablada, a masked dance
performed in the Oruro region of Bolivia. Originally, the dance was meant
to appease the Supay, or evil spirit in the mines. After Spanish contact,
it developed an additional meaning of good versus evil in the Christian
context of the battle between Lucifer and the Archangel Michael.
MAC 1978-0206
Mask
Leather, glass, fur
Andes Mountains, Peru
date unknown
This mask shows European facial characteristics and is probably meant to
represent a Spaniard. Masks representing colonial figures such as soldiers
and saints are worn in dances portraying Spanish conquest of native groups
in the region.
MAC 1966-0586
Oceania
Display Mask
and detail
Wood, clay, shells, lime, feathers, pig tusks
East Sepik Province
Papua New Guineaa
Early 1980s
Frazier Collection
This large display mask features a nose terminating in a bird's head and
employs traditional materials such as lime, shells, cassowary feathers,
and pig tusks. It was collected from a village along the Keram River in
the middle Sepik region.
Display Mask
and detail
Wood, clay, feathers, pig tusks
East Sepik Province
Papua New Guineaa
1983
Frazier Collection
Crocodiles are an important part of the culture and landscape in this
region, as can be seen by the crocodile tongue protruding from the mask
mouth. This mask was carved in Angoram by an artist who specialized in
this particular motif.
Ceremonial Mask
Plant fiber, feathers
East Sepik Province
Papua New Guineaa
ca. 1970s
Frazier Collection
This mask represents a maselai (water devil) in traditional dance and is
colored with carbon, earth, and lime. It was collected at the Haus
Tambaran (traditional spirit house) in Angoram in the lower/middle Sepik.