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Hemba So’o Chimpanzee Mask: What It Is and What It Does at a Funeral
The Hemba So’o chimpanzee mask guides the dead and calms the living at Congo funerals. Learn who wears it, what it means and how to read an auction lot.
An African Masks Lesson Plan That Teaches Culture, Not Craft Clichés
Every year the same thing happens in classrooms around the world. A teacher announces that this week the class will study Africa. Paper plates come out. Glitter, feathers, and a few zigzag lines. At the end, thirty identical “African masks” go up on the wall, and not one child can tell you which people made…
Mbagani Masks: The Last Carvers of an Extinct People’s Name
New: the 2nd edition of Within Carved Lines: The Secret Meanings of African Masks is out now. Get the book → Not every masking tradition on this site comes with a settled explanation. The Mbagani are a useful reminder of that, and being honest about it is more useful than pretending otherwise. Their masks are…
Fanti Asafo Flags: The Ghanaian Art Tradition Built Without a Single Mask
New: the 2nd edition of Within Carved Lines: The Secret Meanings of African Masks is out now. Get the book → Nearly every tradition documented in this book channels its art through a mask worn in performance. The Fanti, an Akan people living along Ghana’s Gulf of Guinea coast and adjacent inland areas, are one…
Are African Masks Demonic? Separating Myth from Meaning
If you search this question, you will find strong opinions on both sides, and very little that explains where the question even comes from. Understanding that history is the first step to answering it honestly. Watch on the SEVICS Africa channel: Traditional African Masks and Their Spiritual Powers Where the question comes from The idea…
Why African Masks Feel Powerful to Some People
Many people encounter an African mask and immediately feel something—curiosity, awe, discomfort, attraction, or emotional intensity. Even without knowing the mask’s origin, people often describe it as “powerful.” This immediate reaction can be attributed to the intricate artistry and cultural significance embedded within each mask. These artifacts serve as vital expressions of African heritage, embodying…