Exposing African Mask Secrets Again

 

I was warned about exposing the secrets of African masks to foreigners, but I did not listen. Actually, I wrote a book about it. The book is titled Within Carved Lines. And now you’d think that I’ll have regrets, but unfortunately, I dont. Here’s why…

Growing up, I was not particularly interested in arts, masks or masquerades. Like most little boys and young women, I feared the ominous, often bulky masked performers. Since it was an important part of my culture, they were everywhere, all the time.

There were big and small, friendly and aggressive, playful and weapon-wielding ones. Some spoke, but others stayed mute. Some danced beautifully, and others did not.

To a small boy, that was quite confusing.

The worst part was that no one explained masquerades to you. You can survive on hearsay. Try not to worry about them. If you are lucky, you might get a chance to join a masquerade cult.

Masquerade cults had all the answers. Maybe one hundred and fifty years ago, it was normal for young boys to join a cult and learn the secrets.

In my days, the utmost priority was to get a sound education. These local things were beneath us in what was our now antiquated ‘jet’ age.

It wasn’t just me who did not learn these things. Most boys my age also learnt nothing about the culture. Our fathers, too, grew up ignorant. Our children will be the most un-African generation ever born. We are even now barely in touch with the hidden and lost knowledge of our ancestors.

So how did I learn? That’s what makes all the difference. That’s also where the mistaken outrage towards me gets it wrong.

I have never belonged to a masquerade cult and, in principle, not under oath of secrecy. That means that I can freely tell you whatever I have learned about African masks.

What did I write about?

In my book, Within Carved Lines, I shared my learning over the years in a simple form that makes it easy to understand. I was careful to explain what masks are and why they are important to us.

I also shared very delicate information about how and why they are made. I feel that if we know what they meant to our ancestors, we might be able to use them again.

This is because we already lost most authentic African masks. They are scattered across America and Europe, in museums and in private collections of people who don’t even know the names of the masks they possess.

The funny part of this whole thing is that if all the African masks were returned to their ancestral homes today, the people there would not know what to do with them. That is a worse calamity than writing a book that exposes some truths about what we no longer have.

But where did I learn about masks learn from?

For starters, I did not choose the mask; it chose me. I wanted, and in fact, my Amazon KDP profile will show that my earlier writing interest was not about masks or even culture. It was something else.

They came in my dreams. I made a random mask video for my YouTube channel, and it’s my most engaged video. This realisation cut short my career in content creation. I’m only happy if I am talking about masks and related subjects.

My dreams, thoughts, reflections, revelations, questionings and travels have in two years taught me more than I have learned in nearly forty years. I know way more than I wrote down.

I intend to write a better copy in the future.

Why did I do it?

For my children. I want them to know the truth. I want you to know the truth, too.

People did not make masks. Masks make people. They choose you and inspire you.

I wanted to ensure that we save a civilisation that is almost extinguished. But the last flickers of its dying lights must ignite new bushes.

I want to create a new way of doing things. Our ancestors did not write in the form we do now. Whatever they wrote is now here now. We need to leave something for future generations. Other civilisations have documentation; religious, occult, science, folklore and all that.

As one of Africa’s literary giants said — ‘until lions learn to write, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.’

The saying was not about lions and definitely not about hunters. Did you figure it out?

Also, I have not found many good authoritative works on African masks. We have lots of picture books, though. Collections of pictures. Or should I say, pictures of collections? I sought to provide information that you will not find anywhere else.

Should a non-African read my book?

Yes. That’s why I wrote it. I want you to read it. Hopefully, you can better understand the masks you come across.

You want to buy a copy, here’s a link for you — LINK HERE.

If you do, don’t forget to leave a 5-star review. That would make me happier than receiving the little funds I get from each sale and from any commissions if you use the affiliate link I have provided.

Stop wasting time!

Go buy my book already.