African mask and its magical meaning

Recently, the habit of decorating home interiors with masks has come into fashion: they are brought from exotic travels, they are bought in stores. Perceiving masks as a symbol of costumed masquerades, they are not taken seriously enough. Those who choose the ethnic style in the design of the premises prefer the so-called African original art, without thinking that the masks are not just the usual decoration for the walls. And many people buy a thing they like, considering it a defensive spirit for the home, without knowing anything about its meaning.

Access to the Otherworld

The African mask that appeared in ancient times played an extremely important role in mystical rituals, embodying the spirit of the ancestors and creating a special atmosphere. A carved work of art has always been an occult object, opening access to the invisible world of the dead. In African tribes, masks were used to connect life and death between them, they became a kind of key that opened the door to the other world.

The main value is protection

The magic totem object has its own meaning and carries certain information about cultural and religious traditions. Each tribe was confident in the existence of parallel worlds, and the spirits were divided into friendly and hostile. Those who wanted to harm, carefully observed each of the tribe, trying to send sickness and misfortune. And then came to the aid of an African mask, the value of which for its creator was one thing - protection from the dark forces through their deception. It was believed that if the spirits did not see the face, then they could not do any harm, and the tribe's resident was guarded by the totem thing. However, not all could defend themselves so much from the spirits: masks, which became an invariable attribute of power, were only dedicated and noble men, which only strengthened their authority.

Variety of types of masks

The African mask was of various kinds, most often there were holes for the eyes, much less often a slot for the mouth was made. The design on laces was held, sometimes participating in ritual ceremonies held her with teeth by an inner rod made of wood. There were masks that were worn on the forehead or worn like a helmet to the shoulders, respectively, their weight and size were different.

Used in rituals, an African mask made of wood of various breeds and depicting animals was recognized by the researchers of African culture as the oldest. Later it was already done in strange geometric forms, with features reminiscent of human. The tree was generously impregnated with oil, so that the mask did not rot, and for a long time it was polished to a shine. Bright vegetable colors were applied to the surface, and leather or metal objects were added for expressiveness and awesome effect, decorated with colorful feathers and beads.

Evolution: from primitive to realistic

Over time, the African mask evolved, it was carved out as the embodiment of the spirit that helps in various areas. The design on the face symbolized the bearer of strength, wealth, fertility, with its help rains in droughty weather, asked for help in hunting. To strengthen the expressive function and more similar to nature, even inserted real teeth and glued hair. From simplified and coarse, as if cut, images passed to the transfer of talented realism of nature. Masks could carry distinctive tribal signs in the form of tattoos, ornaments or hairstyles. And the images of the leaders were characterized by a clear portrait resemblance.

The African mask got rid of the frozen expression, it began to reproduce a whole range of feelings - tears, laughter, irony, threat. Repulsive spiteful appearance suggested a strict ban on a close examination of the image. Such masks were used in the terrible rituals of sacrifice, when even a casually cast eye could cost the life of the uninitiated a ritual.

Do not rush to buy

Do not treat the carved masks as evidence of the primitive culture of Africans, and bring such a vivid manifestation of their creativity into the house. Fancy images, born in the hands of masters, do not always bring happiness and luck to the home. Experts recommend to learn the value of masks in advance, and then make a purchasing decision.

But the African mask with its own hands made of papier-mache does not hurt, it will become a source of pride and give the inner world of the creator. Stylized bright crafts - the original decoration of any house, which will not bring trouble.