Page 68 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 14

Leadership
Art & Culture

afrikan masquerade dancers

GULE-WAMKULU

By Abigirl Phiri, Zimbabwe.

frican masquerades have one of them is solely by initiation. century in Europe. Carnival was a
a fearsome reputation From Mali to Nigeria, Tanzania to time of saying goodbye to meat by
in communities across Zimbabwe, Ghana to the Demo- indulging in all the food and wine
Athe continent, and in the cratic Republic of Congo or Zambia they could before Lent. Rich and
Diaspora, because they are said to or South Afrika these masquerades poor dressed in masks and mingled
have a direct connection to the spirit have been a part of Afrika’s social freely, while parades and dances
world, and anything that connects fabric for generations. The key is the were held in the street. Another
this realm to that unseen and mys- mask and the costume worn to both version says that the idea of dress-
terious one often sparks curiosity, represent the spirit or deity they de- ing up for spring came from carrus
fascination and even dread. Be it sire to portray and to conceal their navalis, the festival of Isis. This was
by day or night, at harvest time, cir- identities. Some are even known use an Ancient Egyptian festival in Af-
cumcision, nuptials or even during a device to disguise their voices. For rica, where, they would carry images
a funeral, the masquerades of all them or their family members to of Isis to the sea to bless the first
shapes, sizes and colors come out to expose their identities is said to be a sailors setting out after winter. They
dance their dances for sacrifices or thing of shame. were accompanied by a parade of
pure entertainment. They are said to people dressed in costumes depict-
be representations of ancestral spir- Masquerades and dances are also a ing animals and other sacred garb.
its, nature spirits or even deities. The part of western culture and began (greyjournal.net) These festivals
members of these secretive groups with the observance of the carne evolved into masquerade balls where
are strictly male and admission to vale (carnival) season in the 15th one dresses up in elegant clothing

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