MASKerades.

Well, I feel like there is a lot I could talk about this week.  We covered what I feel is a lot of information in class.  All of which I find interesting.  Masks, while very prevalent in African Cultures, are also seen in other countries around the world.  We may not be able to relate with as much meaning as some African Cultures have with these masks but we can relate by having our own masquerades and costumes.


When we were watching the video in class on Thursday I was reminded of our mascots we see in our culture.  When we go to sporting events we see mascots who dress up to entertain the crowds and similarly we can see clowns when we go to parties.  The monkey mask in the Bwa peoples was what initially sparked the similarities in my mind.  The masked individuals entertain the crowds by acting as the mask they are wearing.


African Cultures take these masquerades to a whole new level but believing that they actually become the spirit of the mask.  They perform however they need to based on what the mask symbolizes.  Even with this being a form of entertainment, it is still considered a sacred ritual that must be performed.


Another aspect that we talked about this week that interested me was from the Baule and Bamana peoples.  They each have dances or groups separated by age.  How is this unlike our organizations we have here in our culture?  I don't see much difference besides the dancing and masks but in some cases that may not be far off.  I can relate closely to the Ndomo because the way we described it in class was similar to boy scouts.  Having gone through boy scouts when I was younger I understand the importance and need to teach our youth how to grow up to be outstanding citizens.


It's so interesting to me to see how much our culture compared with different African Cultures are so different yet, surprisingly to me, so similar in ways.  We all have this inherent need and want to be good and that seems to show in different ways through our cultures.