For at least 20,000 years, masking has been a mark of cultural
evolution and an indication of magical-religious sophistication in
society. Ancient cave paintings depict figures with animal masks;
early Egyptians left images of humans with animal "heads"; and
Incan burial chambers contained masks of gold to cover the faces of
the dead. Ancient peoples wore masks to survive the elements,
succeed in combat, confirm their identity, attract spouses,
celebrate important events, and venerate their personal and
collective gods. Current literature suggests an early association
between masking and pietistic practice. These and many other uses
of masking are an important part of the record of human existence,
shedding light on the origins of belief systems and spiritualism in
the earliest human societies.
Placing the mask in the broader context of the evolution of
humanity, this book argues that the mask itself should not be
assessed in the service of any single function. Instead, the
chapters integrate all functions to provide a comprehensive
understanding of the mask as a powerful cultural phenomenon--a
means by which individual communities attempted to communicate
their dignity and sense of purpose, as well as to establish a
continuum between the natural and supernatural worlds. The book
addresses the distinctive environments within which masks
flourished, and the mask is analyzed as a manifestation of art,
ethnology and anthropology. The discussion is augmented by more
than 100 illustrations of masks chosen for what they reveal about
fundamental emotional and spiritual perspectives, as well as for
their different styles, shapes, and designs.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(4)
