African MasksMasquerades are found in virtually all African civilizations, particularly those that are indigenous to this region of the world. Not surprisingly, these masquerades have different forms of significance for different cultures. Nonetheless, there are some basic cultural similarities pertaining to these rituals that transcend individual cultures and pertain to African deployment of this concept as a whole. Firstly, the definition of the very term masquerade can include "a masking performance, a masked performer, or the character embodied by the mask itself" (Uzo, 1997). Moreover, there is an element of spirituality that is strongly associated with this tenet of the masquerade. It is very rare for participants to be unmasked once they have donned a masque and are partaking in a particular ritual or dance. The actual masques themselves are typically emblematic of animals or people, and have a transcendent spirituality. As such, the very participants who don masques and participate in masquerades become associated with that degree of esoteric spiritual energy, and have effectively shed their human form for the time being. The ensuing performance or ritual is similarly spellbinding, and deemed religiously and culturally eminent for all those participating and observing it.
An Overview of African Cultures
The Ikeji are a group of African peoples located in West Africa within the country of Nigeria. Their deployment of the masquerade concept is noteworthy in part because of its representation of gender issues. Specifically, their masquerades are solely attended by men. Although it is possible for women and girls to watch the masquerade, all of the participants are males. As such, their ritualistic dancing is decidedly "a macho thing" (Uzo, 1997). Another extremely important facet of the Ikeji masquerade is the immense variety in purpose which accompanies this ceremony. For these peoples, the masquerade is employed for a bevy of different purposes. Some of them can signify celebrations and entertainment, others might deliver messages about the future or expectations of some of those participating in them. Still others masquerades might take place to "chastise evil-doers" (Uzo, 1997) or for funeral purposes. To this...
normal I offer. Why? Because I potential a false flag attack London Olympics worth researching. Okay,'s deal. You write a paper length normal extra credit assignment explained Extra Credit Unit. Conspiracy theory or terrorism? -- The 2012 London Olympics There has been a lot of controversy in the recent years regarding conspiracies and how some of the world's most influential individuals are actively engaged in a plot to exploit mankind. False
Like other aspects of Trinidad Carnival, the political and social circumstances of the times played a role in influencing the Carnival. In more recent times in the 20th century, the Carnival has continued to play its role as a social and political commentator. In World War I and Ward War II Carnival was suspended, yet it did not stop the calypsonians from singing against whites or the upper classes (Gilkes 2003). Even today, "ol mas" played
Uncle Tom's Cabin - Fiction as a Catalyst for Fact The Origins of a Living Document Stage Night North and South Polarized: Critics Respond The Abolitionist Debates The Tom Caricature The Greatest Impact The Origins of a Living Document In her own words, Harriet Beecher Stowe was compelled to pen Uncle Tom's Cabin "....because as a woman, as a mother, I was oppressed and broken-hearted with the sorrows and injustice I saw, because as a Christian I felt
In "Piaf," Pam Gems provides a view into the life of the great French singer and arguably the greatest singer of her generation -- Edith Piaf. (Fildier and Primack, 1981), the slices that the playwright provides, more than adequately trace her life. Edith was born a waif on the streets of Paris (literally under a lamp-post). Abandoned by her parents -- a drunken street singer for a mother and a
However, as criminals become more aware of undercover tactics, the covert officer is required to provide more and more proof that he is indeed a criminal- which leads to the officer committing acts that compromise his or her integrity for the sake of maintaining cover. By understanding the often conflicting nature of these goals, deception and integrity, we can see how an undercover officer can become confused, lost, and
In addition to this, the epistemic area of concern dealing with how knowledge is formed will be another arena to explore. By understanding this area, I will be better able to determine how certain groups were able to portray stereotypes as knowledge. In addition, I will be able to explore whether the process of forming knowledge is different for members of different cultures and groups, which might explain how
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