Role of Masks in African Cultures

SUMMARY:  Students study the ancient tradition and craft of mask
making, understand the role or function of masks in African
culture, create instruments and participate in class projects.  
This lesson is part of a series. Select this text to learn more about
the series and how to extend its usefulness.  

GOAL:  Students learn to relate different concepts and ideas
involving masks to rituals in society, specifically initiation or
coming of age.  
OBJECTIVES:  Students discuss how masks are used in rituals and
how masks help to understand African culture.  
Students learn how masks educate the young.  
Students study the symbolism involved in various styles of masks.  
Students create a drum and/or rattle.  
Students can use their masks and instruments in performances of
two African dances.  

BACKGROUND MATERIAL:  Object Database: Masks  
Community Choice: Masks  


Activity 1: Papier Mâché Masks
Grades 7 and above

Materials:
Paper (preferably recycled), wheat paste or Vano liquid starch
mixed in equal proportions with water, bowl, spoon, white glue,
balloons or crumpled newspaper (for form), scissors, black
markers, string and other decorative items and paint.

Directions:

1. Cut paper into 1-inch strips.
2. Mix wheat paste or starch as directed.

3. Inflate balloon. Tape crumpled newspaper in place if desired.

4. Begin by dipping the newspaper strips into the paste. Gently
squeeze off any extra liquid.

5. Apply moistened papers to the balloon form by overlapping
and layering. The mask should be covered with approximately
five layers of paper for strength.

6. When the mask is completely dry, you can paint it as desired. To
make tempera paints into an acrylic like substance, add 1/2 cup
of white glue to 1 cup of paint.

7. Masks must be completely dry before painting.

8. Decorate. For more fun, a glue gun can be used to stick on
beads, string, fabrics, feathers, sequins, broken shells, coins, beans
or macaroni. Be creative!

Activity 2: Paper Plate Mask Making
Grades 6 and below
Materials:
Paper plates, black markers, markers, hole punchers, colorful yarn
for ties, pipe cleaners, feathers, hair, textiles, shells, glue, staplers
and sheets of white paper.

Directions:

On a white sheet of paper, have the students practice their mask
design in pencil. When design is complete, students may draw
their design on the paper plate with a black marker and begin to
decorate. Feathers can be stapled on the top of the mask. Pipe
cleaners, textiles, feathers and shells may be glued on for texture.
Be creative! Punch holes for ties on the side and on the bottom
for fringe.

Activity 3: Drum Making
Grades 7 and above

Materials:
32 oz. Styrofoam cups, glue, hole punchers, twine, paper trash
bags, oil pastels, masking tape, markers and paper towels.

Directions

1. Glue cups bottom to bottom and let dry.
2. Cut four 6-inch diameter paper circles and glue two circles
together. You will end up with two double-ply circles.

3. Decorate drum.

4. Punch ten holes with hole puncher along the borders of both
circles. Place and glue circles on to the top and bottom of drum.

5. Cut several strands of twine and begin to sew from top to
bottom.

6. Crumple paper towels in a "J" shape and wrap with masking
tape, or wrap paper towels around wooden sticks, to create
drum sticks.

Grades 6 and below
Materials:
Coffee cans varying sizes, can opener, duct tape, colored paper,
scissors, masking tape and colorful yarn.

Directions:

1. Remove the top and bottom lids from your coffee can with a
can opener. Beware of the sharp edges. Pound down any rough
edges, or cover them with tape.
2. Place the duct tape over one end of the coffee can. Start by
placing a strip of tape over the middle of the can. Place another
strip of tape is placed perpendicular across the coffee can to
form a cross. Add more strips of tape and overlap each strip until
the top of the can is completely covered in a lattice pattern.
Each strand of tape should be pulled tightly. Place a strand of
tape around the edge of the coffee can in order to cover the
ends of the strands of tape.

3. Cover the outside of the coffee can with colored paper using
masking tape to attach the paper to can.

4. Place a strand of yarn on one end of the can. Turn the can
upside down and continue to cover the can with yarn from top
to bottom, back and forth. You may use different types and
colors of yarn as you go. When the coffee can is completely
covered, tie a knot at either the top or bottom of your drum.

5. When you are done, you may want to make more drums and
create a band. Note that different sizes of cans produce different
sounds.

Activity 4: Rattle
Grades 7 and above
Materials:
Balloons, 1-1/2 inch strips of newspaper, art glue or papier mâché
glue, rice or beans, 8-inch long sticks, tape, acrylic paint, brushes
and paper clips.

Directions

1. Blow up balloons until they are the size of a grapefruit, and tie
a knot at the end. Place a paper clip through the knot and tape
the clip together. The paper clip will keep your balloon from
moving around and at the end will be used to hang your balloon.
2. Place the strands of paper in papier mache glue or paste and
squeeze out any excess glue on your paper. Place the strands of
paper over the balloon and be sure they are placed smoothly to
create a great rattle. Repeat this process until the balloon is
covered. You may recover up to three layers of paper, but make
sure that each and every layer is smooth.

3. Hang the balloon by the paper clip on a wall. It should dry in a
day or two. When it is dry, take out the paper clip carefully, pop
the balloon and remove it from the rattle.

4. You may now fill your rattle 1/3 full with beans or rice (be
careful and do not fill it all the way because then your stick will
not fit). Place the stick in the hole until it reaches the top of the
papier mache rattle and fasten it with tape. Decorate with
symbols and create beautiful music.

Grades 6 and below

Materials:
Frozen orange juice cans or small milk cartons, wood sticks, glue,
paint, pens, brushes, and rice or beans.

Directions

Empty the can or carton, and make a hole on the bottom for the
stick to go through. Place the filler of your choice inside, insert
stick and glue in place. Decorate with paints. Make music!

Extra Activity: Song and Dance
Grades 6 and below

Materials:
Masks and rattles from previous activities.

Directions:

Students can perform a dance and make music with their masks,
rattles and drums in the classroom. Listed below are two dances,
the Kanaga and the Banu Tamma, from the Dogon culture.

Kanaga

Three steps to the left.
Three steps to the right.
Jump in place several times.
Stamping of feet with arms stretched out to the front and then to
the side.
Repeat.

Banu Tamma

Several steps forward, touching the ground with the mask.
Several steps backward and touch the ground.
Repeat.

Credits & Thanks
Sites for Teachers
Private Property
SAWEBS - Internet Solutions
AFRICA     SOUTH AFRICA     COUNTRIES     ANIMALS
Google
 
Join the Mailing List
Enter your name and email address below:
Name:
Email:
Subscribe  Unsubscribe 
Add to My Yahoo!
Home    About    Contact    Audio Books   Lit Arts    Language      Pre-K      Free ESL Resources     Online Games    Book of the Day     Maths   Gallery
Other