Mgbedike Mask Analysis

Visual Analysis
Most cultures believe in something that brings tradition, happiness and upholds a sense of community, despite what it is. According to some cultures, artwork is a belief that replaces normal religious practices. This piece of art i am depicting is hosted at UCLA Fowler Museum and was illustrated by Ezeki Ngwo. This mask identifies itself with the Igbo people, a southeastern Nigeria culture that performs spiritual rituals that manifest themes of mystery and supernatural power. The mask is named Mgbedike mask, meaning the time of the brave. This figure contains physical aspects of beats and human that exemplify power and strength.The mask evocates the idea of power and strength as this mask intimidates the souls of all and replicates …show more content…
They are only to be worn during special rituals, such as masquerades, a key means of communication with the spirits of the ancestors. This mask exemplifies a means of enforcing order and expressing social values. The men that wore these masks during ritual events, the masker spiritually leaves the body and the body would be taken over by the ancestor the mask represents. This factor can indicate that the men whom wore these to be considered courageous, fearless and powerful. The mask represent human achievement and the powers of the spiritual …show more content…
Maskers would approach specific people and expose their crimes, immorality and any other factors that would bring the community down. This can be justified by relating the scary masks to the aspect of maintaining peace and order. They would probably use this mask as a way to scold the mischiefs of the community and it would be affected because of the harsh image it presents. The look of the mask is unpleasant, demonstrating how it can intimidate members of the community to rejuvenate their life so they can be a successful member of the community. This exemplifies how the masquerades were effective in maintaining and controlling traditional norms and values in the