Masks have been used for entertainment, disguise and, most recently in great supply, as protection. For Mardi Gras and other fanciful celebrations, they allow the wearer to hide in plain view while galavanting amongst friends and strangers. Face masks as protection has been around since the gladiators.
As we all get more comfortable with the use of these bland face coverings, they are becoming expressions of our thoughts, interests, political views and favorite color, to mention just a few ways people are communicating via the face masks used as protection.
My twins called them bumper stickers for your face. That got us thinking about masks in history because, you know, homeschool nerds! We did a bit of a dive into the history of masks in society and came up with this Mardi Gras mini-study unit just in time for Mardi Gras. Use discount code MARDIGRAS to get it for 75% off through Feb. 10!
Masks for Health Concerns
Gladiators used tournament masks on occasion to protect the wearer and make them appear more intimidating to their opponent. Samurai soldiers wore masks with fierce expressions. Women donned masks called Visards in the 16th century to keep their skin milky white, as was the fashion back then. My kids think it’s the fashion now considering all the sun protection I slather on them from head to toe each summer, topped with a hat. Atlas Obscura has a great article on this “When High-Class Ladies Wore Masks That Made It Impossible to Speak.”
Probably some of the scariest looking masks we found were from early Modern European doctors who treated plague victims. The beaked masks were designed to hold herbs to ward off the Black Death.
Ancient Use of masks
Every culture seems to have come up with the great idea to use masks in rituals or ceremonies that were important to them for one reason or another. Be it crops, rain, a big game or hunt, masks were made to be worn to impress, protect and emote. Dancers donned beautifully designed face masks as protection from evil spirits in ritualistic dances or to honor former religious heads or leaders in elaborate ceremonies.
The oldest masks known to man are 9,00 years old, although mask wearing for rituals and creating to honor the dead more than likely stretches back some 40,000 years. You can check out the 9,000-year-old masks at the Musee “Bible et Terre Sainte” in Paris or the Israel Museum in Jerusalem if you happen to be out that way.
West Africa is home to many cultures, such as the Yoruba, Edo and Igbo, who use masks for masquerades as part of larger religious ceremonies. These beautifully designed carved masks use complex craft techniques. This is a whole other study unit. If you have the time, check out these resources to research the history, social and cultural significance and creation of masks in Africa.
Art Factory has a free African mask tutorial along with the significance of designs, shapes and more. Contemporary African Art also has a detailed history of masks.
Masks in Theater
You could call the masks used in the theater more sculpture than simple face coverings. They have been part of the arts for centuries, portraying evil, innocence or otherworldly creatures to audiences around the world.
The mystery plays that sprang to life on stages around in the 12th through the 16th century used masks to further the intrigue and suspense. Plays that dramatized portions of the Bible used masks on actors to personify the seven deadly sins. Mostly made of papier-mache, artists created more elaborate masks for impact that could belch fire and smoke from pockets within.
