The History of Mask Making
Mask making is an art that may date as far back as 20,000 years. Masks have been used in religion, the arts and for entertainment purposes throughout the world. Materials and styles may have changed, but the process and use of masks lives on.
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Origins
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No one is certain exactly when or why people began to create masks. One theory is that hunters created masks to try to sneak up on animals. Another theory is that masks were used to appeal to animal spirits and deities.
Features
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Early masks were made of natural materials that were easy to find and readily available in hunter/gatherer societies, such as animal skins, animal bones, branches, grasses, leaves and feathers.
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Ritual
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As masks became a significant part of religious ritual in primitive societies, they became more elaborate and ornamental. They were carved out of stone, wood or gourds or were molded from clay. Some were painted, or decorated with shells, leaves and other objects.
Theater
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The Greeks and Romans embraced the use of masks in early theatrical productions. Plaster was a common material for mask making. The Greeks developed metal masks that were shaped to act like megaphones to project an actor's voice.
Revelry
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Masks are now primarily used for fun at costume parties, carnivals, festivals and at Halloween. Children enjoy using them for dress-up and imaginative play. They are made from a range of materials, including rubber, paper mache, plastic and porcelain.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bjearwicke/sxc.jpg
