Forgive me. I could continue to wax lyrical about links in our current traditions seen as folk lore to those of our ancient ancestors. To me there is a tremnedous link which is bound up with very nature of people we are and how we have developed. Our formative roots live in our societies now. That is why I find masks so powerfully evocative. Along with other forms of primitive and traditional art we can trace our own links to earlier times. Even today shaman / magician exists following ancient magik rules.

Even modern latex masks contain some of same magic, because they are linked back to same collective unconcious and traditions of masquerade, disguise and spirit world. As a school teacher I have come across some quite vociferous reactions by parents to having Halloween in school. Some see its pagan links and reject it. The seam runs deep into modern psyche.

Perhaps most potent place to view this link is in Mexican Day of Dead Celebrations. This festival combines a mix of Christian and Pagan practices. In particular Halloween has a juxtaposition between dead and children. Here children are masked to scare away evil spirits and look after dead. By this means a link with ancestors and children is perpetuated.

Another fascinating link between masks of many cultures is fool. The fool has many characteristics, most noticeable of which is paradox. The fool can be wise and foolish; handsome and ugly; playful and barbaric. He straddles line between extremes of other masks switching from one role to other. Perhaps fool simply represents many dualities and paradoxes in life.

Also fool plays a full part in staging of ritual. Noohlmahl in Kwakwaka'wakw rituals is a grotesque creature covered in hair with snot pouring from his nose. He struts about entertaining crowd, making jokes and anticipating reponses. Should reponses become too familiar a violent response could be expected. Of course responses to watchers comments could be of another more humourous roposte.

Surprise and paradox are essential to nature of all fools. Another of his jobs is to control children. He treads line between clowning for them and ensuring that they do not disrupt proceedings. As with inappropriate comments from adults a violent response can be provoked should children, literally, over step line.

To return to my original point masks are a way into very nature of our being. The mythology of Palaeolithic times is linked directly to tribal mask and western folk lore masks. For me this is why mask holds such power and magic. The mask allows us to physically touch and share our past in a way which few objects can do. Tribal Masks carry a universal signature that appeals to our nature.

© Ian Bracegirdle 2004 http://mask-and-more-masks.com You may use this article freely on condition that you include this copyright line and URL and that people who subsequently use this article follow same conditions. Thank you for accepting these conditions.

Not Carnival masks but foundation of traditions spreading throughout World.

I have covered a great deal in a very short space. And maybe bitten off more than I can realistically substantiate. Every time I read about background to masking, asque and Masquerade I find that these factors stand out. The links between traditions in all parts of world hold common elements. If we accept our common ancestry then it makes sense.

Simply it comes down to this. When you find that there are similar elements behind masking traditions in Africa and North America then we have to accept that there is a common influence in play. (It could of course be interpretation of academics who have influenced my studies with their own agendas.) These same structures of; reverie of ancestors, links with dead, seasons of harvest, growth and planting, fertility, good and evil all crop up time after time. In many cases they are linked further by some kind of Fool taking part in enactment.

What really fascinates me is that these links are embedded in our modern cultures through masquerade, carnival and other traditions such as Halloween and Day of Dead celebrations.

Amazingly these European traditions, superstitions, and links to ancient practices, have passed into other cultures in South, Central and North America plus of course Caribbean. How has this happened?

The European conquerors took their traditions of festivals to Americas. These festivals embodied elements of earlier pre Christian times. The settlers changed local festivals to embody Christian elements. So that when today we view masquerade and Carnival it is possible to recognise Mayan or Inca festivals on which they were based. Christian celebrations introduced by Conquistadors and other settlers are a mixture of elements. When addition of African influence is added to Carnival. An interesting picture can be seen.

Carnival masks are, in my opinion, related back to earliest of times.

For me it is a circle. A circle of belief based upom prehistoric understanding that underpin our fundamental nature as people. Our prehistoric mystical belief system from past are now amalgamated on all continents. Probably some people who participate in these festivals understand their true nature. Our present position is to use this understanding of our common ancestry to build a forward looking route to future. All this from looking at masks.

Your thoughts and feelings upon this would be most welcome.

© Ian Bracegirdle 2004 1 Elderberry Close East Morton BD20 5WA UK 01535 692207 http://mask-and-more-masks.com You may use this article freely on condition that you include this copyright line and URL and that people who subsequently use this article follow same conditions. Thank you for accepting these conditions.