My father and I have taken the better known masks of Africa and created silver miniatures. The "Replica Masks" are grouped into Africa5, Legacy and Heritage. Here you will find some great masks. The stories behind them are somewhat dry, but the similarity to how we think as westerners, is fascinating.
Wisdom 
Power 
Serenity 
Meditation 
Success 
Strength 
Perception 
Spiritual Guardian 
Protector 
Completeness 
Bush Spirit 
Good
Enjoy.
Wayne
Ancestral Guardian
BAKOTA - GABON (About 27 inches high) (KOTA STYLE)
These figures were used to guard religious baskets (MBUMBA) of tribes in Gabon (2).
The baskets contained some skull remains and other objects of specifically magical value. In this category of masks, large figures represented founding fathers with smaller ones commemorating less important individuals.
Each sculpture had an individual name known to all villagers.
OTHALEFILE
(OTHLAFILE is the Sotho word for wisdom beyond book learning).
The geometric design on the mask recalls Mossi (Volta) design.
A training college for adult education in Southern Matabeleland (Zimbabwe) has an owl as its crest. This is one of the rare occasions where and Afro/Euro symbol is shared. Owl Eyes, then, is a mask for Wisdom.
PERCEPTION MASK
WASHE BISISA
(WASHE BISISA is a Sotho phrase meaning to look at a thing or event in many different ways).
The oval shape of this mask is taken from the Makonde (Angola) and the vertical ladder idea is Mossi (Volta).
The mask has eye spaces, their specific purpose is a reminder that we can look at events and life itself in whatever way we wish - positive or negative.
SERENITY MASK
OTHOTSE
(OTHOTSE is a Sotho word for a person who is quiet inside).
The beautiful smooth planes and clean outline of this mask typify many Baule (Côte d' Ivoire) carvings.
The downcast eyes imply composure - an essential adjunct to peace and serenity.
This mask draws heavily from Kota (Gabon) designs.
A large variety of such Guardian masks are in existence.
Their purpose was to guard relics that played a major role in the welfare of groups and individuals with reference to their spirituality.
MANAGANO
(MANAGANO is a Tswana word for thinking deeply).
The mask uses the concave form of the classic Mahongwe Mask (People's Republic of the Congo).
The oval shape also relates to carvings of the Makonde (Angola).
SUCCESS MASK
ULUKILE
(ULUKILE is a Sotho word describing one for whom things go right).
In African mask conventions an ornate head-dress such as this often refers to success or status Guro (Côte d' Ivoire) in that one is no longer lowly with the need to carry burdens on the head.
The Zulu (South Africa) traditionally pierced their ears and gradually expanded the hole until the distended lobe could accommodate a very large decorative disc (± 6cm).
The heaviness of this mask and solidity of design evoke substance, status and success.
BUSH SPIRIT
A MASK FOR WILD LIFE
(MOYA WAKO SEKWENG is a Tswana phrase for the Spirit of the Bush).
This mask has three features of interest. An open mouth often represents aggression - this addresses the untamed, sometimes violent ways of the Wild. The treatment of the eyes closely resembles the work on a Bush Spirit mask from Loma (Liberia).
One of the few fairly common devices on masks in Africa is the incorporation of small carved antelope horns to hold magic or medicines.
PERSONAL PROTECTOR MASK
Morowi
MOROWI ... is a Tswana word that describes a state of great contentment because all in life is good).
The basic pear shape of the mask, headband and conical head are reflections of a Spirit Figure (Anjenu) Idoma (Nigeria).
The Spirit Figure and also this mask are concerned with personal well-being especially Health, Family, (Fertility) and Wealth.
(MADALA is a Shona word, almost always respectful, for an old man).
The mask is reminiscent, in its compact intensity and pent-up power of the Mabila (Cameroon) that links with the ancestors who are instrumental in the welfare of the living.
MANAGANO
(MANAGANO is a Tswana word for thinking deeply).
The mask uses the concave form of the classic Mahongwe Mask (People's Republic of the Congo).
The oval shape also relates to carvings of the Makonde (Angola).
STORM CATCHER
MOTSWARA MOYA
(MOTSWARA MOYA is a Tswana phrase for The 'Amulet' that catches The Storm).
This mask was made with a degree of design freedom tending to abstract. Like all our other masks, however, it relates strongly to its African roots.
The shape is based on a Bedu mask. Hwelu (Côte d' Ivoire), the engraved hair representation reflects Dan (Liberia) work and geometric design can be seen in Mossi (Volta) pieces.
On a simple level STORM CATCHER'S function is to attract the good aspects of a storm - rain, which is synonymous with prosperity. On a deeper metaphysical level its purpose is to catch, control and render harmless the storms of life.
Matla
(MATLA is a Tswana word for strength including strength of character).
The length, overall-shape and especially the curved hat are reminders of Plank Masks, Bwa (Burkino Faso).
KULEBELE
SENUFO
COTE D’IVOIRE
These masks are named after the carvers who made them - the Kule caste. This facemask was created for members of the weaving caste. Other castes within the Senufo social structure were the smiths and the farmers. The type of mask shown here is one of the most widely known in African Sculpture. At one time Senufo art was seriously endangered by the arrival of the Massa cult from the Niger Bend. The cult required the destruction of all ancient figures before newly erected shrines. Thus many pieces that would not normally have been allowed to outsiders, found their way to Europe.
YANDE
ZANDE
NORTHE – EASTERN ZAIRE
Yanda comes from the Zande area of Zaire. The word Yanda is used for this little figure and alsofor the Protecting Spirit of the sect that venerates it. The sect was opposed by the Zande princes and by the early twentieth century colonial powers. The ideals of this sect were both remarkable and commendable in that "...it was sympathetic to social change and fired feelings of revolt among those sectors of the population that had always been excluded from the exercise of power, for example, women, who were allowed to participate in meetings of the sect."
Those who know something of Africa will realize the rarity of this and also the wonderful applicability of the totem in a New Age of human relationship.
NWANTANTAY
BWA
BURKINO FASO
These great plank masks (1-2 m in height) represent super-natural flying spirits from the Bush. These spirits provide their blessings and protection to the families that own them. Such forces were called Dyo. The masks were used as an aid to creating a stable co-existence with them. The masks were necessary at all important functions. At funerals, for example, they were required to ensure safe passage between this realm and the next. This mask gains an added dimension in these times of increased awareness of Nature and sustainable living.
FANG
PANGWE
GABON
This Pangwe piece fits into the group known as Fang masks. Large, often frightening facemasks are common to this group from Southern Pangwe. These are masks that dispel evil spirits.In secret societies, those who wore them became judges, policemen and Bush Spirits and when they appeared, they scattered all evil. Throughout Africa, white on masks is the colour of death - many Fang mask are so painted. The wearer of the mask was draped from top to toe in fibre, so that the whitened mask, seemingly detached from human form, must have been truly terrifying as it emerged, by firelight, from the gloom of the forest.
GIRL’S FACE
GURO
COTE D’IVOIRE
Much traditional Art in Africa has a social or religious function. Some of the output of the Guropeople, however, amongst others, serves a purely aesthetic function. Numerous everyday utensils were decorated for the pure joy of beauty. Amongst these are embellished pulley holders used on weaving looms. The Guro were famous for their fine workmanship on such pulley holders. Their work is often best viewed in profile as witnessed by the exquisitely coiffured girl’s head. It is also suggested that such pieces evoked the presence of friends to keep the weaver company whilst working.
MBULU NGULU
BAKOTA
GABON
These figures (up to 60 cms high) were used to guard requilary baskets (Mbumba) of the Bakota people. The baskets contained some skull remains and other objects of specifically magical value. In this category of masks are large figures representing founding fathers, with the smallerones commemorating less important individuals. Each sculpture had an individual name know to all the villagers. These pieces were the representatives of the ancestors and received propitiatory offerings. They formed an essential link between these ancestors and the living.
WAITING MAN
SENUFO
COTE D’IVOIRE
For lack of any other, we have named the little male figure (10 cms high) ‘Waiting Man". Small figures like this were not uncommon from the Senufo. The work of their carvers had a figurative quality hardly known in any other African traditional sculptural art. Figures of various sizes were produced for Poro ceremonies (the dominating cultural influence), fertility festivals and ancestor worship. This is probably such a piece. Despite its small size, ‘Waiting Man’ has a wonderful stylistic purity.
ZIMBABWE BIRD
Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Bird is a little over 30cms high. It is sculpted in stone.
A number of these elegant pieces are in the possession of the Zimbabwe National Museum.
They are thought to have stood on the walls and possibly on pillars in the GREAT RUIN - the origins of which are linked with legendary names like King Solomon and Monomatapa.
That this sculpture was of significance to the inhabitants of that ancient city is shown by the number of birds found.
Their purpose, however, remains shrouded in mystery.African Gold Launches New Shopping Sites
January 9th, 2010africangold.co.za today launched the first in it series of shopping portals.
“Our web site is great as a catalogue – but does not make the buying process easy” said Wayne Skews of African Gold. “We decided to open a series of online shopping site in niche markets – each with it’s own shopping cart and credit card facilities.
The first site up was Celtic Dreams- this site carries our Celtic range. We decided on Joomla as an interface – Wayne spent his Christmas holiday on a steep learning curve – designing and publishing the site.
Next up was African Mask Jewelry (spelt the American way with a dot com address to try and get the international market and some interest from the Kwanzaa concept. This range is truly an original concept – the range was designed in collaboration with indigenous people – George Skews put the whole thing together including carving the miniature masks models.
Titanium wedding rings was put up to help our trade site, Trilogy Jewellers, deal more effectively with the many price requests we get from the public.
Our plan is to first direct the public to a local reseller through our Trilogy Jewellers web site and then, if a South African titanium reseller is not available, try and help them through our online shopping portal.
We have a few more South African websites planned – all covering niche jewellery markets.
The last site was a web hosting site – African Domain Hosting – this is to help other jewellers host at better prices and help them with the confusing aspects of building a website and hosting it.
We are hoping to attract internet shoppers who are looking for strange and original jewelry.
Now online – more African Gold shopping sites.
www.freemasonsjewellery.com -Free Masons rings and bangles in titanium and silver. Have a look at this brand new site showing Free masons rings and free masons bangles and cuff links.
And now you can see titanium and silver plectrums and picks online at www.plectrums.co.za- custom made and custom engraved plectrums and picks for musicians and guitar players – great gifts for anyone in the music industry.
Of couse if you want to see all the shopping sites in one place you can visit www.africangold.co.za/shopping.htm – all of our sites are listed in one place.
Rose gold jewellery
Do you struggle yo find red gold or rose jewellery – or someone to make up jewelry in red gold? Have a look at this classy site – great selection of red gold rings – there is even a beautiful yin yang in red and yellow gold! Have a look at www.redgoldrings.co.za - lots of different styles of red gold.
We aslo have a portal for jewellery – browse to www.jewelry.co.za- here you will find links to all our shopping sites for handmade jewellery in South Africa.
AKUA’BA – AKUA’S CHILD
March 22nd, 2009
AKUA’BA – AKUA’S CHILD – see africa5 jewellery
Ashante (Ashanti) Ghana
Originally these statues are said to have represented the Moon Goddess – NYAME.
According to legend (2) a woman named AKUA became pregnant and had a beautiful daughter by carrying this figure.
Until recently many AKAN women carried the figure to induce fertility – it was carried like a child on the woman’s back.
In the past 50 years the figures have been naturalized, earlier examples had rudimentary arms, a stylized neck and conical torso (3). The disc shaped head is characteristic.
Our experience is that this figure is internationally appreciated for its striking design and is instantly identified with Africa.
from: www.africangold.co.za/masks.htm
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Nyami Nyami – River God from Zimbabwe
March 17th, 2009
NYAMI NYAMI
The Protector
NYAMINYAMI is the WATER GOD – river snake – of the ZAMBEZI RIVER. The TONGA people of the ZAMBEZI VALLEY pledged their allegiance to this spirit by performing ceremonial dances.
NYAMINYAMI (literal meaning: meat meat) showed himself often – especially in the dry season and allowed the people to cut meat from his body in their times of need.
NYAMINYAMI, the great RIVER GOD with the body of a snake and a fish-like head, protected and brought good fortune to those who believed in him. One year, however, when NYAMINYAMI had gone up-river and his wife had gone down-river, each to help the people, the white man came to build THE WALL in mighty KARIBA GORGE.
NYAMINYAMI did not want his movements along the many magnificent miles of the ZAMBEZI to be impeded.
HE WAS UNHAPPY
KARIBA DAM took five years to complete. Unexpected heavy floods, broken bridges and collapsed walls caused time delays and many lost their lives.
The following is taken from information provided by the OMAY CRAFT CENTRE (5), in the NYAMINYAMI DISTRICT in ZIMBABWE.
TONGA ELDERS AND THEIR SPIRIT MEDIUMS MANAGED TO PERSUADE NYAMINYAMI TO CALM DOWN. THE DAM WAS COMPLETED AND KARIBA LAKE CAME INTO BEING. HOWEVER, NYAMINYAMI WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS WIFE AND NEVER AGAIN SHOWED HIMSELF TO ANY HUMAN BEING.
from: www.africangold.co.za/masks.htm
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