African Masks Series - 3

African Masks Series.

Always with loads of love and respect, we bring to you a vibrant hand-drawn series of tribal masks, to keep your inner traveller alive.

Traditional African masks are one of the elements of African art that have most evidently influenced European and Western art in general. Movements such as cubism, fauvism and expressionism being perfect examples. 

Stylish elements in a masks represent moral values in many cultures. Masks from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast, for example, have their eyes half closed, symbolising a peaceful attitude, self-control, and patience. In Sierra Leone and elsewhere, small eyes and mouth represent humility, and a wide, protruding forehead represents wisdom. In Gabon, large chins and mouths represent authority and strength. The Grebo of the Ivory Coast carve masks with round eyes to represent alertness and anger, with the straight nose representing an unwillingness to retreat.

Mama Africa is calling!