The orange section is dedicated to masks.
Masks, in traditional Africa, are carved mostly for rituals of initiation, for funerals, prayers for rain or fertility, entertainment and other special celebrations. Masks are means by which the supernatural strength of the spirits is attracted and, once acquired, can be put at the service of the social group. In sub-Saharan Africa, scholars have identified more than three hundred types of masks, and this, in itself, reveals their centrality and importance. The human, animal, or spiritual images they portray are highly symbolic. The masks displayed in the museum come from different African countries and express a great variety of cultural features.
Wood, leather animals, ivory, metals, ostrich feathers … are just some of the elements used.
In the middle of the room, you can see a wall built with mud, wood and recycled materials, typical of most rural areas.
You might like to watch an interesting video on African art and see how it has influenced today’s art all over the world.