Happy and Sad Mask

Clothing/Dress/Costume

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Black Heritage Library

Sade Face: With the mask oriented this direction, the outside corners of the eyes are dropping down and the mouth is frowning.
Sade Face

With the mask oriented this direction, the outside corners of the eyes are dropping down and the mouth is frowning.

Name/Title

Happy and Sad Mask

Description

This mask has the ability to be worn right side up, or upside down. On one side, the eyes droop outwards and the mouth is frowning. On the other side the eyes slant inwards and the face is smiling.

Use

Ritual and Ceremonial

Context

Ritual and ceremonial masks are an essential feature of the traditional culture and art of the peoples of Subsaharan and West Africa. Masks usually have a spiritual and religious meaning and they are used in ritual dances and social and religious events, and a special status is attributed to the artists that create masks and to those that wear them in ceremonies. In most cases, mask-making is an art that is passed on from father to son, along with the knowledge of the symbolic meanings conveyed by such masks.

Collection

Masks

Cataloged By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Created By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Create Date

November 1, 2023

Updated By

gifforde@findlay.edu

Update Date

November 1, 2023