Africa
Mask collection
The Inside Story
In African tribes, each mask possesses a soul and an inner force of nature when a person’s face comes into contact with it, transforming them into the identity it represents.
In traditional society, the mask is a religious, political, and social institution.
It serves as the mediator between God and the ancestors of humanity.
It plays a role in political decisions, accompanies planting and harvesting, heals the sick, punishes the guilty, ensures the continuity of knowledge, welcomes the newborn, allows them to become an adult, introduces them to the world of wisdom, prepares them for war, and accompanies them in death. The mask lacks actual physical characteristics, allowing for creative freedom.
Masks in Africa commonly also represent the spirit of an animal and serve as a means to convey a message or request.
Another common theme in African masks is the representation of the female face.
