Masks from Native Groups

Museum Paper
Masks from Native Groups

Lehman College
Martha Ramirez
ARH 137
Section 01
Professor: Emily Navratil
March 7, 2012







On Monday 20th, 2012 I visited the Metropolitan museum of Art. I was impressed by the immense saucer and value of every the ar twork I saw. I mat like I could travel through time, and know all the different cultures through their sculptures, clothes, paintings, clothes and figures. Although many works of art astound me, I could not enjoy them all at once. Therefore, I focused on three overwhelms and three figures.
The first mask I concentrated was called Whale Transformation Mask from the Kwakwakawakw tribe from North America. It was made of wood, paint, cord, denim, metal and leather. It had black, red, green and blue colors. It was two masks in one. When it was closed, it represented a whale. When the strings were pulled, the mouth opened, and a human face could be seen inside. The human face was a male with an elongated nose. This whale could be associated with mystic powers that the family or an ancestor had due to the relationship with the whale. Consequently, this special animal that smiling the family became the family totemic clan.



This could also be a representation of the inner(a) human spirit that each animal had, according to the Kwakiutl beliefs. This mask was used in ceremonies and is worn by a performer. The professional dancer imitated the movements of a whale during the ceremonies. Though this mask only cover the face, the rest of the body was covered as well (Met Museum).
another(prenominal) remarkable mask was called Face Mask (Kpeliyee) from the Senufo people. It was a morgue object. It was made of wood, fiber, metal, feathers and horns. The horns suggested virility and ferocity of the deceased. The horns, feathers and elongated nose hinted a connection to a hornbill. The face was an inversed water drop shape. It had buddy-buddy eyebrows and thin eyes. The scarification might mean that the dead ancestor mark his face during...If you want to get a full essay, society it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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