THE AFRICAN MASKS

The collection of African masks hangs on the wall. Masks from all parts of the continent, each with its own distinguishing features telling you which part of the world it came from. Those from West Africa had their own distinct shape. Those from East Africa are the same. The Central African tribes had masks that were full and round, often sporting vivid colors around the borders. The Southern African masks were more rectangular, and also had fierce expressions in the eyes and facial features. A menagerie of brutal and fierce African tribal tradition. In olden times the magic man of the village would dance around the fire at night displaying the fearsome mask on his face, he would then dance and chant in a ferocious way around the fire, with the mask on and his chants would drive all evil spirits far from the tribe and the village. The people would find safety in his magic spells and believed that after the exorcism of the village from dark spirits that no evil would befall them from here on forward for all time to come. A ritual as old as Africa itself evoking the supernatural powers of the magic man to cast out all demons from the tribe and the village. Powerful mysteries of spiritual beliefs and the ancient psyche of the African people. The subjects of the great Chief can sleep well at night, knowing that no wicked forces shall prevail in the presence of the magic man and his great medicine. The stars twinkle brightly above in a myriad of wonders as the evening draws to a close. Sleep well blessed children of the King. Thou shalt fear no evil. Halala Africa!