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What are the fibers of the raffia palm used to symbolize in African Art? CeliaM P1: The raffia palms are used to symbolize shrubs and bushes and all the living things inside those buses. It also shows that there is power in the bush with the living creatures inside it.

CaseyM P2:The fibers of the raffia palm symbolize the power of the bush and the wild animals that live in it, these costumes are just as important as the masks because of this. The costume covers the whole body of the performer. The performer or mask wearer is known as the masker. Most maskers are male not female even though some are female.

MenshengR P6: Whenever you see the raffia palms on African Art, you should think of power. The fibers of the raffia palm are used to symbolize the power of the bush. They are also used to symbolize the power of the animals in the bush. Although the mask may be of a boy or a girl, the masker is usualy a man, but sometimes it is a female.

AndrewC P7:The fibers of the raffia palm are used to symbolize the power of the bush and the associated animals that live in the bush.

BillP P7: Raffia palms are used to symbolize the strength of the bush and all the creatures that reside in the bush.

Why is it important that no one knows who is under the mask?

CeliaM P1:  It is important that nobody knows who the masker is because once they are in the ceremony wearing the costume; they no longer contain their own spirit. They have the spirit of the mask. If people know who’s inside the costume, the full affect of the masker doesn’t take place. CaseyM P2: It is important that nobody knows who is under the mask because during the performance the masker becomes the spirit of the mask not him/her. The masker must put on the costume in private before the show so the identity is not known. The costume must also cover the whole body so the identity of the masker is not known.

MensehngR P6: It is important that no one knows who is under the mask because that way the masker, the person wearing the mask, seems more like the spirit of the mask and not just a person that you know wearing a mask. To do that, he/she must put the costume on in private. Also, it would help the masker become the spirit of the mask, knowing that no one would know who he/she is.

AndrewC P7: The reason it is important no one knows who is under the mask is because during the masquerade, the ceremony in which the mask are worn, the person under the mask is no longer himself, but instead the spirit of the being whose mask he is wearing. BillP P7: It is important for the audience to not know who is under the mask because in the masking ceremony, the person is playing the roll of the spirit of the mask. Also, the person who is playing the role of the spirit was usually a man, but occasionally, a woman played the role.

What are the elements of a masquerade? Why are these elements important? CeliaM P1:  When a masquerade is held, music and dance are the main elements of it. To add effect to the night-time masquerade sometime fire and torches are used. Also what the masker says and does give the full affect of the ceremony. Spiritual beliefs are key to the masquerade because without them you can’t see the power of the masker. CaseyM P2: The elements of a masquerade are mainly music and dance the masker will dance while people play gourd tambourine or drums. One other element is when the masquerade is done at night torches and fires wil be lit effectively. What the masker says, how the masker dances, the lighting, what the audiance says, and the mask give the full effect of a masquerade.

MenshengR P6:  The elements of a masquerade are the music, the dance, the masker's words, and the music. Other elements are the lighting at night or during the day, the audience's participation, and spiritual beliefs.

AndrewC P7: There are many different parts of a masquerade that bring the full meaning of not only the mask, but the meaning of the entire performance. Some such elements are as follows: the lighting, the mask, the other garments the masker is wearing, the dialogue, and other sounds-such as music- and most importantly the spiritual beliefs and culture of the audience. I say this because if you do not share the beliefs of the intended audience, you would think it was interesting, sure, but you would probably be missing something very important that had only happened to that certain culture.

BillP P7: The elements of a masquerade were the mask, the costume, the person who is playing the roll's movements, the words, the music, the audiences participation, the lightning, and the spiritual beliefs. Also, not all African art pieces are used in masquerades. Other objects are used for settling disputes, teaching and other things. Also, drums were sometimes used in the masquerades (there were several other instruments played).