Carnival Masks and Masquerade Masks Where did use of Carnival masks and Masquerade masks begin?

The Venetian Carnival began over 900 years ago. It has run except for a gap ( from 1797 - 1987 ) and is replayed in its 18th century form today. Many other carnival masks and masquerade mask traditions can be traced back far into medieval times. The true roots came be traced back even further. Venice and other European masquerades are precursors to modern Madi Gras and masquerade in Americas. But again I ask where did traditions of Carnival and carnival masks begin?

Take a trip back in time to Roman times. Around mid February there used to be a Festival called Lupercalia. It is described as a circus like festival. When Roman began to accept Christianity pagan festivals were modified to become a part of Christian calendar. So here is a first link. Now I believe that if we go further back to Greeks we can find examples of big festivals and same type of open air festivities associated with Carnival. Think of Bachus and celebrations of wine etc.

The first link then is that Christian Festivals are built upon pre Christian ones.

The Egyptians being forerunners of Greeks also had their own large outdoor festivals. These must have influenced Greek way of life. Now if we accept links between Egypt and Africa then initial influences probably came from tribes further South. See Grisso at his site for a view of Carnival and its origins

To take things back even further. It is generally accepted that our original ancestors came from Africa and spread gradually to take over whole World. It is generally recognised that Africa is home of diverse masking traditions. Whilst they may not seem to link directly to Carnival masks in style and structure traditions behind them do link.

Strangely answer to my question seems to go back to pictures on cave walls of Palaeolithic people. 25,000 years ago roots were established. The caves in Trois Feres in France reveal following;

Those of you who are thinking of a collecting trip to Africa may well find following site useful. There are still places in Africa where genuine old masks can be bought, generally through dealers. Also watch out for fakes as they do abound. Remember buy things you like as investment can go up as well as down. If you like that carving or mask then value is not as important. The link is African-Vacations.com, see Carvings page link.

The African masks of this area are well documented by Ladislas Segy in Masks of Black Africa. Much of following section on African Masks is influenced by his work.

The African masking traditions of this part of World are extremely fertile and varied. The traditions supporting masks are generally associated with spirits of ancestors, rites of passage, fertility and initiation ceremonies. Dance is generally involved in use of masks. Segy lists following types of ritual:-

Rituals of cosmology, myth and mythological heroes or animals Fertility rites Rituals for increase Agricultural festivals Rituals for rites of passage Ancestor cults Initiations including secret societies

Related Ceremonies

Masks can be used for different ceremonies often having multiple purposes. The size and style of masks are diverse, depicting animals, human faces and more abstract styles in sizes from a few centimetres to 4.5 metres in case of Dogon Iminana ( mother mask ). With only a few exceptions masks are all part of a full costume and not just an isolated piece of decoration.. Segy notes:-

Face coverings Helmet masks Headdresses Masks with prominent breasts Amulets Insignia of grade Crowns of bead work

Materials

Wood The major material was wood due to large forest and range of species available. The choosing of a tree from which to make a mask was not as we might do today, find one and chop it down. Rather carver would seek help of a diviner and undergo a purification ceremony and when first blow was struck he would drink some of sap in order to form a brotherhood with tree?s spirit. Mask would be carved from one piece of wood with nothing jointed, with some of masks this created severe technical difficulties when early carvers only had simple tools. Usually green timber was used as this was easier to cut. Certain varieties would be used for some special masks, but in general softer woods were used

Ivory was used by Warega and Benin. The ivory was property of Benin kings (Oba) and they were only ones to wear ivory as a mark of office. The carving of Warega was not as refined but has a strong impact.

Brass was used by Benin, Senufo and Ashanti.

Other Materials Knitted materials were used as were beadwork, basketry and fabrics. Additional materials included :- shells, beads, twigs, bark, teeth, hair, beaten or repousse metal, vegetable fibres and skin, to mention a few.