Mummers:
Mexican:
The Viejos (old men) and Viejas (old women) masks are made from leather, paper mache and wax on paper.
Hanging with the Mexican masks is a picture representing The 52 Year Cycle. The Aztecs believed every 52 years the gods could destroy humanity and the world would be renewed. For five days before the end of the cycle people all over the Aztec world destroyed furniture and possessions and went into mourning for the world.
African:
Many African masks include animal features to give the wearer the speed, the power, and the intelligence of that animal.
Performance:
The Noh masks are carved originally from Hinoli wood or Japanese cedar that has been allowed to soak in water for over six months. The carving of a Noh mask needs extreme precision which has taken over 800 to 900 years to develop to the present technique. For every carving there is a specific tool for the job.
Mummers would traditionally burn their elaborate willow, flax, rush and straw headpieces after each performance, but today the masks are too valuable to destroy.
Mexican:
The Viejos (old men) and Viejas (old women) masks are made from leather, paper mache and wax on paper.
Hanging with the Mexican masks is a picture representing The 52 Year Cycle. The Aztecs believed every 52 years the gods could destroy humanity and the world would be renewed. For five days before the end of the cycle people all over the Aztec world destroyed furniture and possessions and went into mourning for the world.
African:
Many African masks include animal features to give the wearer the speed, the power, and the intelligence of that animal.
Performance:
The Noh masks are carved originally from Hinoli wood or Japanese cedar that has been allowed to soak in water for over six months. The carving of a Noh mask needs extreme precision which has taken over 800 to 900 years to develop to the present technique. For every carving there is a specific tool for the job.
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