Isn't it amazing how many, many cultures in different parts of world have similar customs? One that I particularly admire is the use of masks in different contexts: religious, festive, carnival, theatrical and dance.
I admire the detailed craftsmanship in Balinese dance masks, whereas the psychedelic patterns of the Huichol masks intrigue me with their symbolic meanings. The festive masks used during Carnivals, such as Venice's or Rio de Janeiro's, meld tradition and fantasy.
The masks of Africa are extraordinary! They symbolize each tribe's historical journey: their past and their present, their beliefs, their rituals, and their art. Masks can only be worn by chosen or initiated people during special ceremonies of initiation, harvest, war preparations, funerals, or hunting. Masks are believed to embody the spirit of an ancestor, and they symbolize a message of wisdom, prosperity, security, and power. Many believe the wearer is possessed by spirit the mask represents.There are different types of African masks, for example there are those that cover the whole face, shaped like helmets encasing the head, or like a crest that rests upon the face.
According to Yoruba customs, funeral masks are worn by the community's healer, who is believed to communicate with the deceased. The Yoruba have many different types of masks because their art is so rich and versatile.
Baule masks can represent an animal, a human, or both, in that a human mask may have an animal attribute. Only men are allowed to wear the masks, which are believed to put the wearer in contact with Gu, who they regard as the ruler of the world. The pictured mask here is handcrafted by Ernestina Oppong, one of a handful of women carvers that has succeeded in a field traditionally reserved for men.