Masks within the Cultures
Many cultures have created masks to serve certain purposes. The video Olmec Masks tells the history behind how the Olmec's came 1500 years before the Aztecs did, yet artifacts are found in Aztec areas. The Aztecs and Olmecs used masks as offerings, and buried them within the ground or temples. It can be seen that the Aztecs were looking back on their history and wanted to honor it and make tradition. The masks from these areas tended to have upturned lips, almost baby face like features, almond eyes, and a cleft in the head. This style was specific to this culture.
Another video that discusses Aztec culture is that of the Feathered Headress. Hernan Cortes took a headress from the Aztecs and brought it back to Europe. It was made of specific bird feathers of a region that was not that of the Aztecs. This shows the trade that went on between different cultures and societies. This ended up influencing European art, and the Aztec and Catholic styles came together.
The Bundu/ Sowei Helmet Masks of Africa are interesting because in this culture, it is the only documented where the women wear them. The purpose is to initiate girls into the secret Sande society where they learn to become good wives etc. The masks suggest an inner quality to the girls since they are purposely made to look not as appealing in this phase.
The chokwe peoples masks of Africa are quite different as well because the masks depict females, but the carver and dancers of the masks are males. The purpose of this ritual is to honor women and all their sacrifices such as giving child birth. The dancer with mask represent the power that comes from childbirth.
Lastly, the masks of the Torres Strait are made out of materials that are not of wood like many other cultures. The masks are made of turtles shells from the region that is between New Guinea and Australian. These masks are made of so many materials that they are pieced together. In the video, they discuss the ideas of whether the specific mask depicts a hero or an ancestor. It is not known for sure, and more research needs to be conducted to understand this specific culture. Those who made these masks were actually asked to burn them because they were seen as negative depictions.
The videos provide a greater understanding of the readings for many reasons. The readings of the Owie Kimou discuss how the dancers use the masks for entertainment and they are not meant to be displayed. To understand the mask, it must be in action. In the videos, you see how the masks are used in traditions and rituals. When they lay stagnant in museums, it defeats the purpose of their beauty and what they were meant for. The different features such as the eyes and other portions of the masks can depict different ideas such as wisdom, age, and health. In the videos we do not get an explanation of these, but we can see the differences and similarities in the details of all the masks shown, many with eyes closed and mouths shut. Each mask has a symbol for something such as the Kanak mourning masks from the readings. Europeans such as French explorer Jacques tried to stop the use of these masks because they thought they represented things like the devil. We see how European cultures affected the masks use in the video of Torres Strait, and how they wanted the masks burned. The Europeans ignorance and lack of knowledge destroyed much of what is a beautiful thing for these cultures.
Another video that discusses Aztec culture is that of the Feathered Headress. Hernan Cortes took a headress from the Aztecs and brought it back to Europe. It was made of specific bird feathers of a region that was not that of the Aztecs. This shows the trade that went on between different cultures and societies. This ended up influencing European art, and the Aztec and Catholic styles came together.
The Bundu/ Sowei Helmet Masks of Africa are interesting because in this culture, it is the only documented where the women wear them. The purpose is to initiate girls into the secret Sande society where they learn to become good wives etc. The masks suggest an inner quality to the girls since they are purposely made to look not as appealing in this phase.
The chokwe peoples masks of Africa are quite different as well because the masks depict females, but the carver and dancers of the masks are males. The purpose of this ritual is to honor women and all their sacrifices such as giving child birth. The dancer with mask represent the power that comes from childbirth.
Lastly, the masks of the Torres Strait are made out of materials that are not of wood like many other cultures. The masks are made of turtles shells from the region that is between New Guinea and Australian. These masks are made of so many materials that they are pieced together. In the video, they discuss the ideas of whether the specific mask depicts a hero or an ancestor. It is not known for sure, and more research needs to be conducted to understand this specific culture. Those who made these masks were actually asked to burn them because they were seen as negative depictions.
The videos provide a greater understanding of the readings for many reasons. The readings of the Owie Kimou discuss how the dancers use the masks for entertainment and they are not meant to be displayed. To understand the mask, it must be in action. In the videos, you see how the masks are used in traditions and rituals. When they lay stagnant in museums, it defeats the purpose of their beauty and what they were meant for. The different features such as the eyes and other portions of the masks can depict different ideas such as wisdom, age, and health. In the videos we do not get an explanation of these, but we can see the differences and similarities in the details of all the masks shown, many with eyes closed and mouths shut. Each mask has a symbol for something such as the Kanak mourning masks from the readings. Europeans such as French explorer Jacques tried to stop the use of these masks because they thought they represented things like the devil. We see how European cultures affected the masks use in the video of Torres Strait, and how they wanted the masks burned. The Europeans ignorance and lack of knowledge destroyed much of what is a beautiful thing for these cultures.
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