Download Mask - Laurie E. Herrman Myers

Mask,
A face covering that, in ritual and theater, disguises
the wearer and usually communicates an alternate
identity; also a type of portrait, and a protective
screen for the face.
Roman Mask
Mexican Mask
Egyptian Mask
Since at least Paleolithic times people have used masks.
Made of wood, basketry, bark, corn husks, cloth, leather,
skulls, papier-mâché, and other materials, masks may cover the
face, the entire head, or the head and shoulders, and they are
sometimes considered part of an accompanying costume.
Occasionally, a mask is not
intended to be worn on the face, for
example, the enormous ritual masks of
Oceania and the tiny fingertip masks
of Inuit women.
The making of masks is a primary
artistic outlet in many cultures, and
masks from Africa, Oceania, and the
Native American cultures of North
America are highly prized by art
collectors.
Masks are often believed to
contain great power, being potentially
dangerous unless handled properly.
Shamans throughout the world wear masks in
curative rites. In East Asia and Sri Lanka, masks may
be worn to protect the wearer against (or to cure)
diseases such as measles and cholera. In some
cultures, masked members of secret societies (such as
the duk-duk of New Guinea) terrorize wrongdoers and
thus enforce social codes. In parts of Africa, legal
judgments are pronounced by masked judges; a
historical European analogue is the masked
executioner.
Ancient Greek drama was semi-religious, rooted in masked
ritual. The masks worn by actors in Greek plays were large, with
conventionalized features and exaggerated expressions; the wide
mouth of the mask contained a brass megaphone to help project
the actor's voice to the large audiences. These masks fell into
two general categories, tragic and comic, with many variations
for both types. In Rome, masks were used in comedy and by
pantomimists.
Strictly practical protective masks are worn in
baseball, hockey, and other sports. The
faceplates of medieval European armor,
however, occasionally bore grimacing facial
features, and in ancient Roman tournaments
soldiers often wore symbolically decorated
masks on their helmets.