Traditional Masks for Healing
By Linda Bennett | November 30, 2020
While masks remain a flashpoint in 2020, traditional African masks were considered sacred. The masks shown here, courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, were worn by the village healer or shaman who in turn connects with powerful spirits to bring relief from illness, infirmity or imminent death. They are beautifully individually crafted works of art made for a specific purpose in the 19th and 20th C. Currently these masks are primarily used for ceremonial purposes.
Ibibio Illness Mask
Nigeria, Africa, wood raffia
19-20th C, wood, raffia and cowrie shells
Size is 13 ¼ inch by 8 9/16 inch
Learn more about this mask on the UMMA website
Ibibio Illness mask. Courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Art
Mbangu Mask
Central Pende Peoples
Democratic Republic of the Congo
circa 1930
Wood, pigments, vegetable fiber, raffia
Size: 15 3/8 inch by 8 1/4 inch
Learn more about this mask on the UMMA website
Pende Mbangu mask. Courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Art
Copyright © 2020 Linda Bennett
Linda Bennett has been a museum docent for 10 years, most recently focusing on engaging Adults with Memory Loss with works of art at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. In addition she has earned two graduate degrees (Master of Science and Master of Public Health) from the University of Michigan.