Mask Makers Web

by Jane Odin or our delight, reflection and mild terror, San Geronimo Day brings forth the sacred clowns (koshares), those scary black-and-white-striped mischief-makers who victimize all who happen to catch their ever-searching eyes. Bad attitudes and poor manners are spotted with uncanny accuracy and instantly imitated. Society at large is under the koshares' piercing scrutiny. Sacred clowns of the Hopi and Pueblo peoples, inspired by divine spirits, teach traditional native ways. They form a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, always contrasting the sublime and the ridiculous. It is said that their antics impact all individuals and organizations within the Pueblo. Complex subject matter at Taos Pueblo this year should make for a busy performance agenda this San Geronimo Day.

Added on: May 20, 2002 | Hits: 4476

The Siberian peoples hold a special position among the mask cultures of the world. Masks were worn already in the Early Bronze "On having undergone my initiation, and having been ordained a shaman, I swear to be a protector of children and father of orphans. I shall not withhold the truth about a sick person?s fate. May the heavenly father learn of this oath and may mother-earth witness it."

Added on: Feb 12, 2001 | Hits: 5656

Simply Masquerade brings the mystery & the beauty of Venetian masks to life - We are a small & friendly specialist mask boutique with a fantastic range of deluxe masquerade masks & traditional hand-made Venetian masks for you to view at your leisure.

Added on: Jul 24, 2012 | Hits: 12440

The tradition of masks that we have inherited has its origin in healing the sick. In the past, sometimes even now people are inclined to believe those super natural beings such as devils or departed souls inflict the human beings with diseases or epidemics.

Added on: Sep 16, 2002 | Hits: 4367

Introduction The Celts Rituals Costumes Contemporary References Mummery in America Music Playing Now Bibliography

Added on: May 19, 2002 | Hits: 4954

As the wooden masks and statues of Africa have grown in popularity in the West, the handicraft industry in Angola has sought to meet the demand for African art. The stylized masks and trinkets that are created to catch a tourist's eye are commonly known as "airport art." They are pieces produced in series, to the taste of the average tourist, but lack any real link to the deeper cultural undercurrents of the people.

Added on: Oct 08, 2002 | Hits: 4370

The Ati-Atihan, held every January in the town of Kalibo in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay, is the wildest among Philippine fiestas.

Added on: Dec 29, 2000 | Hits: 7253

The Bwa (or Bobo Red) and Nuna live in the dry savannah land of central Burkina Faso. Like other peoples in this area, the Bwa and Nuna seek the help of powerful spirits who live in the wild forests, bush country, and rivers surrounding their villages. Wishing to control these forces and enlist their help against the powers of destruction, the Bwa and Nuna create masks that make the spirits visible and put them in touch with the people

Added on: Jul 03, 2002 | Hits: 4608

Dancing the Gap between Spirit and Human Worlds By Juliana Azoubel Mentor: Joan Frosch College of Fine Arts

Added on: Apr 21, 2003 | Hits: 5979

Dancing giants are an ancient tradition and can be found in many parts of the world. In Europe they are found especially in Catalonia, Flanders and Navarre, where they are a prominent feature of traditional, civic and religious celebrations. In Britain most were destroyed in the reformation, or the Puritan era, but Christopher, Salisbury's traditional giant, can still be seen in the city's museum. The visit of a replica of Christopher to Dorchester in June 1987 occasioned the birth of Lilbet Large, the first of the modern Dorchester Giants.

Added on: Nov 08, 2002 | Hits: 4381

This site presents the Yup'ik masks of the Agayuliyararput Exhibit which since 1996 has been featured in museums across the country. Created and collected during the late 19th and early 20th centuries within the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and coastal regions of southwestern Alaska, the masks tell stories of ceremonial traditions that remain important to the rich, living culture of the Yup'ik.

Added on: Dec 29, 2000 | Hits: 5271

Developed through an unprecedented collaboration between Yup'ik elders and the museum community, Agayuliyararput (Our Way of Making Prayer): The Living Tradition of Yup'ik Masks provides Yup'ik people an opportunity to exhibit stunning examples of their material culture from their own cultural perspective

Added on: Dec 29, 2000 | Hits: 4967

There is a strong belief in masks belonging to souls of ancestors amongst rural population. Mask dancers, who propitiate the spirit and in a state of trance give manifold blessings to the gathered devotees, both heal the sick and entertain spectators. Masks of Siva and Durga (and her manifest form of Shakti) are powerful iconic masks in India. In modern India, mask dances at theatrical and ritualistic levels are thriving well.

Added on: Oct 10, 2002 | Hits: 4578

Masks from various parts of India in a new exhibit. A MUST - SEE - SITE ! Fabulous masks, and furthermore excellent site about India. A journey itself REVIEW: Encyclopedia Britannica - India Edition SITE OF THE WEEK (April 3, 2000): "Extensive material on the history, culture, and diversity of India. Includes an album on Mahatma Gandhi, a timeline with links, a picture of the week, an online Faces of India exhibition, information on Indian women, education, art and artifacts, and the Konkani language. Also provides a searchable index."

Added on: Jan 23, 2001 | Hits: 5151

The Nierica Website, sponsored by Dr. Tom Pinkson (Tom?s), is dedicated to bringing spirit to cyberspace, honoring indigenous wisdom, and building spiritual community. NIERICA means "sacred doorway" in the language of the Huichol, a shamanic people from Mexico with whom Tom?s completed an eleven year apprenticeship.

Added on: Jan 19, 2001 | Hits: 5413

+ 3 photos Tibetan drama, "Ajilam" in Tibetan language, is an important art of Tibet's brilliant culture and is also a most precious treasure of Chinese dramas. Tibetan drama is a favorable traditional dramatic art of the Tibetans. In the ancient folk religious dance of "jiangme", masks appeared, which is a sign of transition from the religious dance to drama. Masks play a great part in the formation of Tibetan drama.

Added on: Jul 20, 2002 | Hits: 4435

On Tindale's 1953 trip to north west Western Australia he collected a number of tin masks from Port Hedland, in the Pilbara. These ceremonial masks, made from recycled tin, reflect the creative power of Aboriginal cultures.

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 4404

Australian aboriginals

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 4490

A developing site about the great range of Indonesian masks.

Added on: Apr 17, 2001 | Hits: 6280

The Vikings did not celebrate Halloween, and while they had a major celebration at near the same time of year, it did not involve costumes or masquerades. Yet we know from archaeology that they did use masks, and there is evidence to suggest that these may have been connected with a different seasonal celebration.......read on folks !

Added on: Sep 15, 2002 | Hits: 6530

Incredibly similar to Japanese n? masks, mukuyi masks have been highly regarded by Western collectors since the beginning of the century. They are used in funeral ceremonies by dancers on stilts. The use of white kaolin pigment is associated with death.

Added on: May 28, 2003 | Hits: 6725

For centuries, in Java - Indonesia has used mask in a dance performance, such as in Joho ancient inscription in 840 ACC. In the book of Negara Kertagama, during the reign of Prabu Hayam Wuruk, the king of Majapahit Kingdom, in XIV century, the word "rakot", was used to refer to a mask performance. It means that people have been making mask since long ago. Mask dance has grown up particularly in Java and Bali because of the demand at that time. Nowadays, we often see a mask dance. To make mask for a dance performance, people must consider the figure who will use it. In the development, the mask is also made for souvenir with a variety of color and size. Beside as a dance property, mask can also be used as a decoration, e,g. Candle and holder lamp etc. The new and innovative models are created according to the market demand. In making a mask, people use carving technique to form the character and decoration on it. The material to make mask is softwood which is easily carved, e,g. "Pule" or "Waru" wood.

Added on: Jun 20, 2002 | Hits: 5816

Kalarte Gallery: Latin America

Added on: Aug 05, 2002 | Hits: 4367

Yoeme (Yaqui) pahkolam open and close feistas and cermonies along the Rio Yaqui in their homeland in Sonora, Mexico, and in their more recent villages in and around Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona. These small, wooden face masks are the most visual part of the pahkolam costume. They are worn over the dancer's face when dancing the music provided by the flute and drum player, and worn on the side or back of the head when dancing to the music of the harp and violin.

Added on: May 07, 2003 | Hits: 5293