Europe Masks may be traced again over a number of centuries. Our historical ancestors appeared to know the power of disguise even earlier than written historical past. These traditions and hyperlinks to shamanism may presumably pre date all our information of recorded historical past. Masks of 1 type or one other may be present in our three strongest historic cultural occasions and areas, Egypt, Greece and Rome

To entry a few of our earliest European masks we have to go to France. In France, at Trois Freres, the caves inhabited by Paleolithic individuals have hunting scenes painted on the partitions displaying masked dancers. The are believed to be at the very least 25,000 years outdated. The central determine of one of many scenes exhibits a shaman like character sporting the pinnacle and antlers of a stag in amongst the reindeer, bison, stag, horse and ibex. The hyperlink to masquerade traditions of immediately may be made by means of the usage of horns, fur, feathers and the animal types adopted.

In Greece the cult of Dionysius used masks to signify the spirits of nature and bestow these spirits upon the wearers. Gold sepulchral masks protecting the faces of the useless have been excavated in Mycenae. In Greek theatre actors used masks to point out totally different characters. This custom was carried on within the Roman theatre. In medieval thriller performs masks have been used to painting characters. Satan and different masks have been utilized in carnivals, as they’re immediately in Spain, France Italy and different international locations.

In Britain there are conventional animal Masquerades which use numerous types of the interest horse as a spotlight. These are to be seen in Lands Finish, Bwca Lwyd in Wales, Thanet in Kent and between thirtieth April and third Might in Minehead in Somerset. A few of these festivals are linked to Morris dances. The Morris dance, in some variations, has a an animal-masked idiot who entertains the spectators with tips. The ghost like Mari Lwyd in Glamorganshire is in stark distinction to the opposite brightly colored traditions. This ghostly interest horse has been linked to the Irish horse of the feast of Samain the place the traditional Celtic pageant is led by a white robed man bearing a crude horses head.

An uncommon occasion is the Horn Dance of Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire. Six pairs of dancers every carry a wood deers head with a pair of antlers hooked up. A interest horse and different characters assist them.

One other number of masked character widespread to British people festivals is the one related to agricultural cycles. Notable ones are the Bury man, in West Lothian, who wears a hat and a Balaclava planted with roses, and the straw clad man who seems in Whitby on the Saturday earlier than Plough Monday. Related straw clad figures are additionally recognized in Eire. It’s doable that The Inexperienced Man of historical Britain is related ultimately with these celebrations.

Japanese Europe

Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria and Poland every have masquerade traditions which use animalistic and figurative interpretations of faces.

Hideously masked characters blowing horns parading by means of the streets of Hungarian cities similar to Fejer should not unusual. This explicit pageant makes use of material masks with untidy beards and eyebrows worn beneath felt hats streaming with ribbons. Carved wood feminine masks are additionally worn.

Related festivities may be seen in Maramures the place the noisy mid-winter parades are held in widespread with different cities and villages. Right here shaggy satan masks with horns are worn together with some disguises similar to Second World Conflict gasoline masks.

In Poland, Turon is one other winter pageant which is widely known by villagers in a number of areas. The pageant is called after Turon, a incredible creature from mythology, now displayed as a interest horse with the wearer?s physique coated by a material. The villagers revelry takes them from home to accommodate singing carols and receiving refreshments. Different masks, depicting bears, goats and wolves, are widespread 마스크팩.

Bulgarian New Yr festivities even have related animal masks. One agricultural pageant may be traced again to historical Thrace. On the primary Sunday earlier than Lent giant teams of males dressed as home and wild animals leap noisily trough the streets to scare away the outdated yr and evil forces. The fabric masks are created from fur, hemp and feathers with small metallic disks adorning them. Different masqueraders put on horned masks to signify oxen.

In Greece related festivities may be seen in Thrace with the Kalogheroi dance.

Different European areas of notice are the Schemenlaufen at Imst in Austria, the place horrifying masks and noisy bells are used to drive away evil spirits. Italy has a number of rural masquerades and is legendary for the Commedia Dell Arte the place Harlequin and the buffoon, Pulcinella, originated. There are additionally the Venetian masked carnivals which date again to the Seventeenth century, with hyperlinks to earlier occasions. In Spain conical hoods are worn by penitents throughout Holy Week and the Morisca dance represents the battle between the Moors and the Christians. The Morisca has had an affect on the festivals of different areas notably the place sword dances are carried out.

Impressed by Masks the Artwork of Expression ed. John Mack ISBN 0-7141-2530-X and different sources that I’ve learn and internalised way back.

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