Mr. Hobbs
Mask Making
Tribal Masks
About:Tribal masks have many varied uses and are found throughout the world. Oftentimes, tribal mask-making is an art that is passed on from father to son, along with their knowledge of their symbolic meanings.
With many tribal masks, the person who wears the mask "loses" his or her human identity and turns into the spirit or being, represented by the mask itself.
Many tribal masks take the form of a human face, while some contain animal elements such as a bird. Other tribal masks are much more stylized and often abstract in form.
Cultures/Places: Tribal masks are used in several regions in Africa. African tribal masks have a spiritual and religious meaning. They are used in ritual dances as well as social and religious events. Tiki masks are carved wooden masks that represent deities or gods from the Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. They serve various purposes such as warding off evil spirits and increasing the owner's fertility. Many countries in Asia, such as Indonesia, China and Japan, use masks in religious ceremonies, ritualistic dances and theatrical plays.
Materials: The most commonly used material for tribal masks is wood, although a wide variety of other elements can be used including light stone, metals such as copper or bronze and types of fabric.
Some masks are painted. A wide array of ornamental items can be applied to the mask surface, such as animal hair, horns, teeth, sea shells, seeds, straws, egg shell and feathers. Animal hair or straws are often used for a tribal mask's hair or beard.
An Indonesian Tribal Mask
A Mexican Mayo Tribal Mask
A West African Tribal Mask
