| A mask is a piece of material or a portion of an outfit, normally worn on the face. Masks have been used since antiquity for ceremonial, aesthetic and practical purposes. The word “Mask” came via the French masque and either the Italian maschera or Spanish mascara. Possible ancestors are the Latin (not classic) "Ghost", and Arabic "Jester", "Man in masquerade". The 5000-year-old mask of Warka is believed to be the oldest surviving mask.
Masks can be manufactured from wood, metals, plaster of paris, fabrics, leather and other materials.
Criminals often use masks to avoid recognition when committing crimes. In many jurisdictions, it is an additional criminal offense to wear a mask while committing a crime; it is also often a crime to wear a mask at public assemblies and demonstrations. For example, in the state Virginia, USA, it is illegal for anyone over sixteen years of age to wear a mask. In some states of the USA, it is only illegal to wear a mask if there is intent to commit an illegal act.
Occasionally a witness for the prosecution appears in court in a mask to avoid being recognized by the associates of the accused.
Participants of a protest in a ghetto usually wear masks and bandannas, to avoid recognition, and to try to protect against any riot control agents used.
Protective masks usually have the following functions:
Providing a supply of air or other oxygen containing mixture for inhaling;
Protecting the face against flying objects or dangerous environments, while allowing vision.
Many masks fulfill both the functions.
The following are protective masks:
Respirators;
Filter masks or gas masks;
Diving masks;
Oxygen masks, worn by high-altitude pilots.
The following are available amongst masks meant for air supply: Full-face masks, protecting the respiratory organs and vision and half-face masks, protecting only the respiratory organs. Hence, to protect the vision and eyes, it is necessary to additionally wear protective goggles.
At the end of the 19th century, masks were used in Australian jails for suppressing the conversations and alienation. The masks were made of white cloth and covered the face, leaving open the eyes.
In the beginning of the 20th century, artists in Europe discovered the world of African sculpture and masks and were astonished by their furious primitiveness. The whole life of African tribes is spent in believing about the existence of a parallel world of spirits. Every tree, animal, mountain has a spirit - friendly or hostile. Their surroundings are crowded with the spirits of diseases and misfortunes, the spirits of their dead ancestors, who continue to look upon the world they left behind, the spirits of men or women, not always have kind feeling towards the opposite sex. The Africans materialize them by making masks. An entire piece of wood is cut into the face of a stranger. Sometimes they make the mask of a crocodile or a snake - the snout covers the face, and the body hangs vertically upwards. They thoroughly paint the masks; decorate them with beads, with bunch of hair and grass. The mask also gives the sense of security. African dancers, wearing masks and performing against evil spirits, were confident, that when they are covered - the spirits won't see their faces and therefore cannot harm them. Not everyone can make the masks. Not everybody can touch them. Moreover, not everyone can even see them. Masks are used in the rituals in which only the devoted people take part. The clandestine communities at all the stages of development of society have adored wearing masks. The patterns on the masks are cut out and painted, or are simply signed or they are decorated with beads and shells. Each ornament has some symbolic meaning. The zigzag is the path of the ancestors, a difficult one which must be crossed with dignity so that the spirits of the dead ancestors were happy with you. The chess ornament means the duality of the world, the fight between evil and harm, ignorance and knowledge and the origin of man and woman. An African legend about the creation of the first ever mask says that there was one woman, who was so tired when her little daughter insisted on accompanying her when she went to fetch water. And then the woman drew a scary face on the bucket of water, so the girl, after seeing an obscure swinging figure, ran back to her home out of fear.
Who does not dream to look like a mysterious stranger at least once? Shy bachelors want to become elegant seducers, reserved ladies - ardent courtesans, and undistinguished ones want to look like aristocrats with blue blood. And there is only one place on earth where for several weeks; such a metamorphosis really is organized. Therefore, the hunger for transformation attracts hundreds of thousands of people once in a year in the theatre city Venice, to a unique Venetian carnival. Venice, better known as the queen of the Adriatic Sea, a city of canals and palaces, was built on 117 islets, between which 150 canals were laid, and the islets were connected by amazing bridges. Three bridges have been constructed only across the main canal. The most romantic city in Europe, a source of inspiration, attracts writers, artists and the loved ones to itself like a magnet. People go to Venice for riding on gondolas and to kiss on the bridges. And uncountable number of people have confessed their love and offered their hand and heart in the Plaza San Marco. From the 9th of February onwards for 10 days the city plazas, streets, canals and city bridges turn into a huge stage of street performances, concerts and festivals. On the day of the official opening of the carnival, on the Plaza San Marco an artificial pigeon is lowered along a rope and a straw stuffed effigy of winter is burnt. In ancient Venetian palaces, masquerade balls are arranged. The entry is by invitation. Sometimes, the entry ticket has a price tag of at least $300. In ancient palaces, balls for exclusive guests are arranged which are grabbed with both hands by the people from all over the world, dressed in magnificent historical suits. Some dresses are made from as much as 15 meters of cloth, and the waiting period for getting the order ready is about one year. The price of the dress is not below 10 thousand dollars. The tradition of the Venetian carnival has its roots long back in history. In 998 the Croatian pirates stole local girls and brides. Young Venetians chased and won back their darlings. In honor of this successful end of this operation, a cheerful festival was arranged. As per another version, the Venetian carnival is marked from the ethnic festival - Roman Saturnalia. During the mask carnivals, all the conventions and rules of manner were abolished. |
Just 3 days ago the oldest man-made mask was discovered at the archaeological site in Alaska. The mask is dated to be over 3000 years old, which is 2000 years older than any of the previous masks found in history.
