masks of the world

Expressing a personal wish for peace on earth, Victor Addo Biney of Ghana creates this original wood mask. The mask features a serene visage with closed eyes, and embossed metal accents simulating the facial scarification traditional to some African tribes. A colourful headdress completes the design.

Deep red eyes seem all-seeing, their color blazing against narrow cheeks beneath a forehead heavy with repoussé. The elegant mask takes its white tones from applications of clay. "This mask is used during the Nkyidwo festival by the Essumeja people in Ghana's Asanti region. The rituals are held in the Asantemanso forest, a place known to be the ancestral origin of the Asantes. These rituals are performed to invoke the constant protection of the spirit world and the ancestors," Abdul Aziz Mohamadu explains. He names the piece Abanbo – "Protection" in the Akan language.

Ebusuah is the Akan-Asante word for "family," and in this spectacular mask one can see the head of the family serenely surveying his realm atop the mask. Other members of the family are shown on the borders of the mask. Hand-carved by Nana Frimpong, this special mask celebrates life and above all the strength of family ties, kinship and lineage that are highly consolidated throughout Ghanaian society. It symbolizes the corporation, integrity, origin and preservation of this most important social body or organization. Finely detailed, this piece is waxed and polished to a fine finish.

Each African mask has been made for a particular purpose. It is important to remember that every figure and ritual object is a living being, the temporary abode of spirits, and also represents the vital links between man and the world of the supernatural, possessing awesome powers of its own. However, music, chanting, dancing, sacrifices and the full array of rituals that accompanies any mask bring it fully to life, and are the essential elements that provide its deep-rooted meaning and power to the community. These complex ceremonial events express vital social, religious, and moral values for the whole community, while the uniqueness of each mask is a testament to the artistry of its community and the individual artist's originality. With careful attention to the masks' artistic and symbolic detail, it is possible to perceive these same values within the masks themselves.

For the Baule, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Ivory Coast, masks serve as an important connection to the spiritual world. Salihu Ibrahim of Ghana creates this Baule-style monkey mask, hand-carved of sese wood and replete with a mane of jute cords. Horizontal lines on the cheeks and forehead represent facial scarification.

For the Baule, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Ivory Coast, masks serve as an important connection to the spiritual world. Salihu Ibrahim of Ghana creates this Baule-style monkey mask, hand-carved of sese wood and replete with a mane of jute cords. Horizontal lines on the cheeks and forehead represent facial scarification.

Dharma, the moral code of the Gods, has always guided Rama in his feats and duties, making him a righteous prince, human and incarnation of Vishnu. This unique worldview has shaped the lives of many around the world, helping to build a fair and wise society and motivating Javanese artisan Gunadi to hand-carve this wadang wood mask in the traditional style of the region. The artwork is painted by hand, displaying the majesty and elegance of the islands in every polished detail.

The Mossi people of Burkina Faso believe that masks are links to the spiritual world, allowing us to become more in tune with nature. Inspired by their art styles, Ghana's Emmanuel Austin Ankude hand-carves this mask of a ram through a painstaking process that takes weeks to complete. He finishes it with clay for an antique look.

Singing, he returns to the world as a ghost to watch over his loved ones. Abdul Razak creates this poignant image as an African mask. Carved and painted by hand, the sese wood sculpture receives an aged, distressed finish and applications of white clay.

A mask to honor ancestors, this one is largely known as "Festac." It commemorates the Festival of Arts and Crafts. This yearly event that began in Nigeria is represented by a mask personifying Queen Idia, and it symbolizes the spiritual bond that unites all peoples of African descent in the world today. Frank Odei Amoani creates a stunning version as he carves this mask of sese wood and applies clay to achieve an ancient, weathered look.

Queen Idia extended the frontier of what is known as the Ancient Benin Empire to unbelievable heights and wide geographical reach. She was a devout patron of the arts who encouraged the creative impulses of her people as much as their valiant pursuit of conquest.

"The idea behind creating this mask is to let the world know that it is good to let go of any wrong done unto you, rather than paying wrong with wrong," explains Ali Mohammed of his original mask. He carves the wall mask by hand featuring an ornate headdress and embossed aluminum on the forehead and cheeks. He paints it in yellow, blue and black. Mohammed calls his design "Bakomi," which in Hausa means "let go."

Cats have been associated with the divine in many parts of the world. Artisan Nengah Sudarsana of Bali alludes to this with this suar wood sculpture. He beautifully details the dark mask and paws of the lovely kitty.

His eyes are closed in death, yet the chieftain is an imposing figure. Carved and painted by hand, this handsome mask is the work of Sefah Mohammed. Ornately embossed aluminum adorns the cheeks and forehead. "Masks such as this are used by the Huasa people of Nigeria," he explains. "It is buried with a king who has passed away to show that he isn't traveling to the new world alone."