Several years ago I heard this story. An African, from one a well known people, was asked to visit a London museum and give his opinion. He visited a display of masking. "This mask is dead." He stated looking at one familiar to him. He was seeing mask out of context, it had lost its power for people who created it and the magic had died.

To collectors eyes very appearance of mask and story behind it leads to magic. The mysterious art forms drawing on imagination and a need to interpret. As a piece of art it has power to involve observer in fathoming meaning to reach an understanding. This can move viewer into a different frame of reference. Touching a life style that is at once strange and distance, yet it has feel of something closer to home. A paradox that seems to arise in studying older tribal ways. In a collection this is part of magic.

It is also important to appreciate that nearly all masks are part of a full costume. Often costume is made from less durable materials and does not survive. Indeed some masks are also made of less durable materials, such as basketery Yam mask, created by Abelam in Papua New Guinea. And again some masks are destroyed as part of ceremony for which they are made.

The commonality in masking traditions

Delving back into earliest recordings, historically, a visit to caves of Trois Feres in France is enlightening. Picture this painted Paleolithic scene.

A central figure stands wearing head and antlers of a deer. He stands, shaman like, surround by animals. Animals that are important to culture he represents. Some of animals no longer exist in this area. Ibex, reindeer, bison, stag and horses. The shaman, for that is what he seems to be, stands, a human figure amongst potential food. What magic he is creating or ancestors he is communicating with we do not know. Yet from our knowledge of tribal people studied in times closer to ours it is possible to understand links. The need to hunt for food is essential to survival. The gods link all matters, stay in good standing with gods and food will be available. Take only what can be used fairly and do not violate natural laws. Life goes on, following seasons. There is a balance to life and death. The link between them is maintained by magician, shaman, wizard, witch doctor, whatever you wish to call him.

During my studies of masks this relationship between magical and shaman constantly arises. There is a commonality between ancient cultures of Pacific West Coast of North America ( now Canada and Alaska ) and tribal traditions of Africa. Fertility, hunted animal, ancestors, initiation, circumcision, cannibalism real and symbolic, healing and crossing over into spirit world for guidance and healing powers or to appease gods or ancestors. All these occur in different traditions spread around world.

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;