Mask Research

John McDermott

Origin of Masks The origin of masks can not be pinpointed to a specific area at a specific time. The majority of masks originally were use for ritual purposes, the ancient Egyptians used masks as a way to transform into a different being in order to perform the ritual. They were also used as a disguise for ancient executioners, such as the people who would perform mummifications in ancient Egypt.

In Africa, tribes have been using masks in ritual for thousands of years. In west Africa tribe wear wooden masks and an attempt to praise and communicate with there lost ancestors. The majority of the masks were of human faces, but some would portray the animals of the savannah, communicating their ancestral sprits and praising them for the life they bring to the tribes. These tribes will also use masks in battle, mask with big eyes would scare the enemy and mask with bulging foreheads would intimidate the enemy as this is a sign of intelligence and cunning.

Masks In TheatreMasks in theatre started as religious representations in ancient Greece. Bright Colours and oversized masks would enlarge the performers presence on stage, making it easier to distinguish between characters form a distance. As in most Greek tragedies there were only three actors playing several roles each, the use of masks helped the audience differ between the different characters a single performer played. Varying sized and colouring of the masks used also portrayed differences in ages, ranks, and occupations.

Masks In Theatre (12th – 16th Century)

In the middle ages, masks were used in mysteries and bible verse representations. They predominantly portrayed grotesque characters such as devils, demons and dragons. Masks in bible stories were also used to personify the 7 deadly sins.

18th CenturyNear the end of the Republic, wearing masks in daily life was heavily restricted. By the 18th century, it was limited only to about three months from December 26. The masks were traditionally worn with decorative beads matching in colour. The types of masks ranged from ones worn as disguise and were obligatory to wear at certain political decision-making events, to ones worn in a sanitary way, typically worn by plague doctors.