African Wooden Carvings and African Tribal Masks
The country of Kenya boasts some of the most skilled producers of African wooden carvings and African tribal masks in the world.
The wood carving industry in Kenya is large, with an estimated 60,000 people depending on it for their primary source of income.
The techniques used in modern Kenyan wood carving, come from the traditions of the Makonde people.
In the early part of the last century, a man named Mutisya Munge began to spread the art through Kenya where more and more people took up the craft.
African tribal masks are one-of-kind works of art, having unique, meaningful characteristics.
They were widely used by peoples throughout western and middle Africa.
Looking at an African tribal mask gives one a glimpse at the tribe itself.
A mask is donned to conceal one's personal identity, for walking around in at a masquerade ball or can even be worn at Halloween parties.
Conversely, for someone of West African descent, the donning of a mask entails a vastly distinct meaning.
The West Africans do not wear their masks for simple fun or for the sake of fashion.
The African tribal masks are a vital aspect to West African tradition, culture and life.
Each African tribe endows their own sense of style and feeling to their masks.
No two African tribes will ever produce the same mask as the other.
One West African tribe that is known for upholding this sacred tradition is the Maasai people out of Kenya.
For the Maasai tribe of Kenya, the age-old practice of wearing the African tribal masks is what allows them to connect to the souls of their long dead ancestors.
The face mask will be worn by adult members of the tribe, and for every significant occasion that occurs in the lives of these people, there will be a ritualistic act tied to it.
These masks are worn for some of the more serious events that take place, such as war dances, the death of a family member or for the purpose of teaching younger people an invaluable moral lesson.
Alternatively, these tribal masks are often worn to mark the passage of a kind of celebratory event.
Situations that are commemorated with the wearing of these ornate masks include marriage, the initiation into adulthood and for the annual harvest.
As for what is depicted on the mask, that will depend largely upon the nature of the event it is for.
Masks often convey the face of an animal or can be made of a human face that exhibits a specific emotion.
The wood carving industry in Kenya is large, with an estimated 60,000 people depending on it for their primary source of income.
The techniques used in modern Kenyan wood carving, come from the traditions of the Makonde people.
In the early part of the last century, a man named Mutisya Munge began to spread the art through Kenya where more and more people took up the craft.
African tribal masks are one-of-kind works of art, having unique, meaningful characteristics.
They were widely used by peoples throughout western and middle Africa.
Looking at an African tribal mask gives one a glimpse at the tribe itself.
A mask is donned to conceal one's personal identity, for walking around in at a masquerade ball or can even be worn at Halloween parties.
Conversely, for someone of West African descent, the donning of a mask entails a vastly distinct meaning.
The West Africans do not wear their masks for simple fun or for the sake of fashion.
The African tribal masks are a vital aspect to West African tradition, culture and life.
Each African tribe endows their own sense of style and feeling to their masks.
No two African tribes will ever produce the same mask as the other.
One West African tribe that is known for upholding this sacred tradition is the Maasai people out of Kenya.
For the Maasai tribe of Kenya, the age-old practice of wearing the African tribal masks is what allows them to connect to the souls of their long dead ancestors.
The face mask will be worn by adult members of the tribe, and for every significant occasion that occurs in the lives of these people, there will be a ritualistic act tied to it.
These masks are worn for some of the more serious events that take place, such as war dances, the death of a family member or for the purpose of teaching younger people an invaluable moral lesson.
Alternatively, these tribal masks are often worn to mark the passage of a kind of celebratory event.
Situations that are commemorated with the wearing of these ornate masks include marriage, the initiation into adulthood and for the annual harvest.
As for what is depicted on the mask, that will depend largely upon the nature of the event it is for.
Masks often convey the face of an animal or can be made of a human face that exhibits a specific emotion.