Yoruba Masks
Culture of
Yoruba’s
The Yoruba’s are located in
the southwestern part of
Nigeria. Their culture focuses
a lot of music and dance.
They are one of the oldest
cultures in Africa, so they see
their culture as very
important. Although some of
the rituals performed with the
masks aren’t as popular
today, they still hold a great
appreciation for the history of
their mask rituals.
Uses of
Yoruba’s
masks
Their functions range from
ceremonies, rituals, initiations,
celebrations, war preparations,
and crop harvesting. There are
rituals performed while
wearing the masks that help the
Yoruba people communicate
with their ancestors. Their
ancestors are said to have
influence and power on earth.
The masks are structured in
two parts. The lower half is
depicting a woman’s face,
while the upper half is
displaying the inner powers for
all to see.
The Yoruba’s are located in the southwestern part of Nigeria and
parts of Benin. Population: 10 million people
Making of the masks
Materials used to create these masks include brass, wood,
and terracotta. They then are decorated with paint, cowrie
shells, colored glass, nails, plant fibers, horns and metal
pieces. Their religious and cultural practices play a large role
in their mask-making process. Spirituality is a core aspect of
the masks. During the creation of the mask, the artists must
purify himself, an offer prayer to the ancestors asking for
guidance while making the mask. The mask is then believed
to be inhabited by the divine forces. The tree that is used to
create the mask will be cut down and left to rest so the spirit
within the tree can leave and find a new home. After the tree
rests the artist can take the wood home and begin to carve,
however, if it cracks during the time of carving the wood
cannot be used.
Critical Study
“ We tend to think of African sculpture as
more of less anonymous, the creations of a
tribe rather than a person. But that doesn’t
fit the work of the Yoruba, the Nigerian
culture that is one of the most prolific- if
not the most accomplished- art producing
groups in the continent.”
The Yoruba masks are created with specific
intentions in mind, such as being a part of
ceremonies and rituals. Their purposes are
very specific and taken into consideration
while the mask is being made. Someone in
our culture may view the masks as being
anonymous however each mask was made
with a specific inspiration or function in
mind.
What would you include in your mask to
make it personal? What different aspects of
your culture could you incorporate in your
mask? What do you want viewers to take
away from your work?
Further research
Look at the work of other artists who work
with masks and portraits that relate to
culture:
-
Face jugs
Ella Maria Ray
Picasso
Christy Keeney
How do these artists relate to Yoruba masks?
What do they have in common? How does
the place a person comes from influence the
work?
Gelede Mask, Yoruba Culture, from Nigeria, Late
19th Century
Vocabulary
-
Spirituality: moments in which the
individual questions the meaning of
personal existence
-
Rituals- ceremony consisting of a
series of actions performed
according to a prescribed order.
-
Prolific - present in large numbers or
quantities; plentiful.
-
Anonymous- not identified by name;
of unknown name
-
Culture- the beliefs, customs, arts,
etc., of a particular society, group,
place, or time
-
Inhabit- live in or occupy (a place
or environment).
 Thinking about this mask…
What do you think the snake symbolizes
in this mask? How can you relate this
symbol back to the Yoruba culture?
How do you think the Yoruba people felt
when they saw these masks? How do you
feel when you see them? What emotions
do you feel when looking at these masks?
These masks have a function within the
culture, can you relate some present day
art that also serves a function?
Thinking about this mask….
How does this mask differ from masks that
you have seen in your life?
What feelings does this work evoke? What
about it makes you feel that way?
After knowing more about the Yoruba
culture, how have your perceptions changed
on “African art”?
List six adjectives to describe this piece
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