Bobbi the Backpacker

Adventure Tip

All of the IMAGINE adventures have three parts: A story, somewhere to explore and an interactive or activity.

Bobbi the Backpacker and Her Amazing Mask Adventure

Bobbi's Letters

When Bobbi was on her travels she sent back letters explaining about the interesting things she saw.

Canada

Visited Vancouver Island on the North West Coast of Canada. Met some members of the Native American tribe called the nuu-chah-nulth. They have lived in Vancouver for many hundreds of years. Their name means "all along the mountains". The name fits with the place they live in - it is kind of hilly!

I met a mask maker who showed me some of the ceremonial masks he had made. He told me the masks were used in a traditional Native American ceremony known as 'Potlatch'.

The Potlatch is a religious ceremony of feasting and gift giving when chiefs from different tribes exchange gifts. Chiefs give big and expensive gifts to each other to show how wealthy their tribe is! It is basically a competition to see who can give the biggest present. We should do it at Christmas! The main occasions for potlatching are those concerning rites of passage such as for the birth of the children of chiefs, for marriages, for deaths, or as memorials to the dead.

Masks play a very important role in these ceremonial dances and theatrical performances. These dances are always very exciting and dramatic! Dancers act out legends of ancestors and family origins. When the dancers put on the masks they take on the personality of the spirit mask represented. These masks mostly represent people, spirits, animals and monsters. I'd be a tiger!

Bye for now!, Bobbi

Nigeria

While I was exploring Africa I visited Nigeria. It is Africa's most populated country. Over 250 ethnic groups live here including; the Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio and the Tiv. While I was there I found out about 2 masks from the Igbo and the Ekpeya Igbo.

I've been travelling all around Africa for a while now and am now in Nigeria. Nigeria is in West Africa and the weather is great!

Today I met a woman called Obianuju who comes from a tribe in Nigeria called the Igbo. The Igbo are also known as the Ibo. The Igbo mainly live in the thick forests and marshland areas of South East Nigeria. Obianuju told me that most of the Igbo people are farmers, but they also hunt and fish. She also told me that there are about 8 million Igbo people living in the area - that's 8 times more than the population of Tyne and Wear!

Obianuju told me a little bit about the Igbo tradition of mask making. Many different masks are made by the Igbo people. Masks are made of wood or fabric and are used in many rituals and celebrations. Masks were used by secret tribal societies for agricultural and funeral ceremonies. They were also used in a variety of dramas, dances, initiation ceremonies and public festivals. Masks were also kept in shrines and meeting houses.

Masks worn on funeral occasions were used to represent the spirits of the dead. The dead tribesman could speak to his fellow tribesmen through masks like this.

Another type of Igbo mask is the Maiden spirit mask. These are worn during secret society masquerades. Maiden spirit masks are large ancestral spirit masks which represented women - but they were worn by men! The spirit dances were meant to appease the spirits of beautiful girls who have died. These masks are beautifully decorated and were designed to enchant people.

Masks of the Igbo were often painted white like this one. White masks were regarded as beautiful and serene. It was also the same colour as the spirits. I was told this was because many African people believe that in the afterlife everything is opposite from the living world. So, if people in the living world have black skin, then spirits in the afterlife have white skin.

Anyi ga a-hu! (that means 'see you soon' in Igbo)

Bobbi

Hi!

I am still in South East Nigeria but have met some people from the Ekpeya Igbo tribe. They live in the Delta region of the River Niger. I met a man called Amandi who is a member of the Egbukele Society. The Egbukele Society is a group of specially selected men from the tribe. He told me all about the tradition of river bed ceremonies and the special masks that were worn during these ceremonies.

He told me that because the Ekpeya Igbo live by the river, much of their religion is dominated by water spirits. Masks representing swordfish, crocodiles, sharks, skate, jellyfish, hippos and other water creatures are worn on the top of dancers' heads during special water spirit ceremonies. These associations with certain animals are represented by the patterning of the skin on the surface of the mask, or an image of the creature itself. One of these special ceremonies is called the Egbukele festival where lots of masquerades take place. These masked dances allow the water spirits to come out and play with the people of the tribe. During these ceremonies the mask is owned by the water spirit to which it is dedicated.

Amandi told me a great story about the sawfish spirit called Oki. The masquerade of Oki re-enacts a fishing trip on dry land. Oki arrives by canoe and causes lots of trouble by chasing the spectators and dancing with the other water spirits. Some fishermen of the tribe catch him, drag him into their canoe and pretend to cut his throat. As if resurrected, Oki then returns to the stage to show people that his powers are for the good of the community. Mothers bring babies to him and he pretends to hack at them with his machete until the children are rescued! It is believed that in this way Oki wards off the childhood illnesses that affect the society.

Ka omesia! (that means 'goodbye' in Igbo)

Bobbi

Democratic Republic of Congo

While I was exploring Africa, I visited the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 200 ethnic groups live in the Congo including; the Mongo, Luba, Kongo, Pende and Mangbetu-Azande tribes. While I was there I found out about 2 masks from the Luba and the Pende.

Hi!

Am now in the Democratic Republic of Congo which is in Central Africa. Congo used to be called Zaire. Travel through the country is hazardous and difficult at the moment. I was staying in the capital Kinshasa for a little while before moving on.

While I was in Kinshasa I visited the museum which had a mask display. Some of these masks came from the Luba tribe who live in the Eastern Congo. The Luba are also known as the Baluba and about 1 million of them live in the area of the Congo around the Kasai River. The Luba Empire was founded in 1585 and was the result of the unification of a large number of smaller tribes. The Luba are well-known for their sculpture, masks and jewellery.

The Luba people have many secret societies who concern themselves with maintaining good relations between the living and the natural and spiritual forces. These secret societies use many art objects, including masks in their rituals. Only the people in the society know about the rituals and uses for these objects.

The Luba make many different types of masks. One type is called the Kifwebe mask which often have a swelling skull and large eyes which are meant to represent heightened powers of observation and great intelligence. These masks also often had a well-crafted solid wooden beard. Despite their dark colour and strange appearance these masks were not meant to be scary or threatening omens.

See you soon!

Bobbi

I am in the Democratic Republic of Congo which is in Central Africa. Congo used to be called Zaire. Travel through the country is hazardous and difficult at the moment so I am just staying in the capital Kinshasa for a little while before I move on. While I was here I met a man who is from a tribe called the Pende. The tribe has many different names and they can also be called the Bapende, Phende, Pindi and the Pinji! The Pende have lived in South West Congo for many hundreds of years and are well known for the different types of masks they make.

Most masks made by the Pende people were originally used for education and initiation rituals. There were 2 main types of mask which appeared in these rituals. The Minganji mask was worn by the overseer of the initiation camp where the initiation took place. The Mbuya masks are used in dances during the ceremonies which accompany the return of the candidates to their village. Both masks are associated with the dead (Mvumbi) though the Mbuya masks are not connected to death as much as the Minganji masks. The Minganji are regarded as sinister, whereas the Mbuya are more playful and theatrical.

Before these initiation rituals took place a young man had to complete a long period of teaching and initiation called a Mukanda. During this training, knowledge of religion, art and the social organisation of the tribe are passed down from one generation to the next. The young man is also taught the history, traditions and the secrets associated with the wearing and making of the masks.

Once the teaching was complete the young man had to make the transformation from boy to man. This transformation takes place during a special ceremony when the young man takes part in a special dance. The young man wears a distinctive and colourful mask which is meant to show his new role as an adult. Once the ceremony was over the man was given a small mask made from ivory which was worn around the neck to protect him from bad luck. These Pende ivories also served as a reminder of the teachings to which the man was obliged to remain faithful.

Nowadays, these Mbuya masks play a more festive role in drama and dance. Within a group, actors take turns to dance and set the stage for different characters to appear. Each is characterised by a specific dance step and a distinct rhythm.

Bye for now!

Bobbi

Namibia

Hi!

Am now in Namibia which is in southern Africa. The weather is great here at the moment - temperatures can reach 40 C (102 F) in the summer!

This mask is a bit of a mystery because the people of Namibia are not well-known for making masks unlike other African peoples. This mask was bought here but it may have come from somewhere else. Southern Africa is home to some of the oldest rock art in Africa and Namibia is well-known for its ancient rock art. Rock art is paintings usually found on the walls of rock-shelters such as caves.

Woodcarving is usually done by men in Namibia. A wide range of woodcarving is produced including, sculpture, musical instruments, furniture and masks. The northern Namibian peoples such as, the Bushmen, Caprivians, Damara, Himba, Kavango and Owambo are especially good at woodcarving.

This mask is made from wood and is crudely carved. A cord tied around the mask is decorated with bark strips. Each cheek is marked with a double letter 'H' in white paint which may represent scarring. On the forehead is a word which you can hardly see now. The gap-toothed mouth makes the mask look even stranger!

I have no idea what this mask means or how it was used - maybe you do?!

Wish you were here!

Bobbi

Sri Lanka

Hi!

The next stop on my travels is Sri Lanka which is located to the south of India. The countryside is amazing and there are so many different types of exotic birds and animals - including elephants and leopards!

I met a Sinhalese woman today who told me little bit about the Sinhalese traditions of devil dancing and devil masks. The Sinhalese are the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka.

She told me that Sri Lanka is mainly a Buddhist country but old beliefs and traditions continue to be observed here. One of these beliefs is that of demons and the idea that masks can be used by humans to help overcome evil spirits.

I found out that in Sri Lanka there are 2 main types of masked performance. These are Kolam and Sanni. Kolam is a form of mythical drama or popular theatre. Sanni is associated with the rituals of healing and the driving out of demons.

This mask is a Sanni mask and represents a disease demon. The word Sanni can be translated as 'disease' or 'illness'. The Sinhalese people believe that disease and illness are both caused and cured by a group of 18 disease demons. If a person becomes ill these demons can be summoned and exorcised in a stylised ritual mask dance known as the yakun natima.

In the presence of the ill patient and their relatives the demons associated with the illness are made to appear. They are represented by mask-wearing dancers and the exorcist (who performs the ritual). The performances are very dramatic - some performances are even known to last for up to 12 hours! The masking is the final stage of the ritual. The dancers wearing the masks enter temporary states of trance in which they make themselves shake as if possessed by demons. Eventually the demon is banished. If the performance is successful the patient is rid of the illness.

See you soon!

Bobbi

Papua New Guinea

Hi!

The next stop on my travels is Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean it's really close to Australia. I visited a few towns and villages in the Papuan Gulf including the capital, Port Moresby. The Papuan Gulf region is well known for its masks and many different types of mask are made here.

Some are used in rituals, dances and ceremonies and others were used just for decoration. Masks in Papua New Guinea can also represent different things. Some refer to ancestor and tribe spirits and others look like totems such as a pig, crocodile or eagle. A totem is an object used as an emblem for a family or clan - abit like a coat of arms. The people of the Papuan Gulf were traditionally organised into totemic clans and had no hereditary chiefs. The older men of the communities possessed all the power and influence.

This mask is from a village in the Papuan Gulf. In this area masks were used in 2 ceremony cycles called Kovave and Hevehe. The Hevehe was a cycle of ceremonies during which dangerous female sea-spirits called ma-hevehe were believed to visit the village. They would bring with them the materials needed to make the masks. The Hevehe masks represented the daughters of the sea-spirits who presented themselves to the people of the village at the height of the ceremony. A full Hevehe ceremony cycle could take as much as 10-20 years to complete. Once the cycle was over the masks were burned.

The masks used in the Hevehe ceremony were made from a framework of cane, wood and basketry covered with ornamental barkcloth. The lower part of the mask was in the form of a human face. Underneath the mask a long loose 'cloak' of sago leaves would have been worn. Masks like this one made from barkcloth are usually found in the eastern part of the Gulf. Masks made from basketry are usually found in the western part of the Gulf.

See you soon!

Bobbi

New Island

Hi!

Have just visited New Ireland which is an island in the Pacific Ocean. New Ireland is part of Papua New Guinea. It's nice and warm here - much better than the British weather! Got caught in a monsoon the other day though and got very wet -April and November are the only months when there aren't any monsoons!

Doesn't this mask look impressive? I found out that it is a special mask called a tatanua mask. The crest of the mask is based on a hairstyle once worn by the men of New Ireland. The painted decoration on tatanua masks is also usually asymmetrical (which means there is a lack of symmetry). These masks are extremely varied. Some were designed to be worn, some were designed to be put on display. Some were kept and used repeatedly, whereas others were destroyed after the ceremony.

A tatanua mask is a helmet mask worn during dances performed at a special memorial festival known as the malanggan. Funerals and memorial services in New Ireland are very different to funerals in the UK. These ceremonies involved a lot of communal effort as there was lots of preparation and expense involved, including feasting and gift giving. This means that the ceremony can occur several months or even years after a death! The ceremony remembers the dead and helps their souls move safely into the afterlife (the people of New Ireland thought you had 3 souls). The Malanggan ceremony not only bids farewell to the dead but also demonstrates the strength and vitality of the living community who were able to put on such an important display.

During the Malanggan ceremony there is a special dance called a tatanua dance. There is song and dancing but it is very important that once the dancer puts on the mask they stay totally silent. If they make a noise it could bring death to either them or one of their family! If the ceremony is performed correctly the community knows that the ancestral spirits are happy and that nothing bad will happen to the community.

Wish you were here!

Bobbi

The Republic of Vanuatu

Hi!

Just visited the Republic of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean which included a short tour of the island of Malekula. Malekula is famous for its amazing tribes called the Big and Small Nambas.

The Small Nambas are well known for their colourful and unusual headdresses and masks like this one. Masks are used for several reasons in Malekula; in dance, in secret society ceremonies and in grade-taking ceremonies. The young men of the Small Nambas have several grades or stages to pass before they can become a Big Man or chief of a tribe.

This mask was used in ritual dances. Elaborate dance rituals are important to the Small Nambas during events such as harvest. During these dances, men would wear brightly painted masks. The blue paint you can see on this mask is made from a washing powder called Reckitt's Laundry Blue - I bet the manufacturer didn't expect that!

Masks made by the Small Nambas could take many different forms; human faces, spirits, or even animals, birds and fish. Some masks, like this one are decorated with boar tusks. In Vanuatu society boar tusks were seen as a symbol of prosperity and wealth - this is why there is a boar's tusk on the Vanuatu national flag. Masks like this one can also be decorated with a cloth made from spider web. Spiders also play a big role in many of the cultures in Vanuatu. In southern Malekula spider web cloth is used as a base for much sacred artwork as well as male ritual head and body coverings.

See you soon!

Bobbi

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