From hundreds of years ago to today, this famous mask has been used in Europe and the Americas a lot. They can be made of leather, like this one– or plastic, papiermache, cardboard, etc., plus many different colors and designs. They have always been used in theater, carnivals, parties, holidays and celebrations. They can be found in all sorts of places at almost any price. Always fun to collect, you can gradually work your way up to an older, high-quality mask like ours. If you’re an oldster like me, you might need something to do during the pandemic. Bob, 1758
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Kwere mask from Tanzania
The Kwere people (also called Doei) migrated to what is now Tanzania around 1000 A.D. from south of Mozambique. The Kwere do not have centralized political systems, but instead are based on self-governing matrilineal kin groups. Lineage heads are chosen by community leaders. These leaders are responsible for distributing land and maintaining lineage rituals. Leaders are also in charge of settling disputes between family members and are often attributed with having spiritual powers. Most Kwere believe in mulungu, a god who was associated with rainfall. Most prayers are directed to familial spirits. Religion among the Kwere is a household affair and every family member is responsible for appeasing its ancestral…
