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Did you Know?Pharoh's Crowns In ancient Egypt, the role of the pharaoh was to ensure stability in a world of chaos. Not merely a government leader, the pharaoh also was chief leader of the priesthood, functioning as an intermediary between mankind and the gods. The pharaoh himself was said to be born of a mortal mother and divine father; one of his titles was "Son of Horus." Pharaohs often can be identified in Egyptian art by the crowns that they wear. In Old Kingdom (2573-2124 BC) depictions, the white crown-shaped like a bowling pin-signified the pharaoh's dominion of Upper (southern) Egypt. Frequently, this crown was combined with the red crown of Lower (northern) Egypt as a testament to the success the earliest pharaohs achieved in combining the once separate halves of Egypt into a unified country. MasksMasks are used throughout West Africa, and make up a large portion of the Cleveland Museum of Art collection. Masks may depict animals, humans, and spirits. Not all masks cover the fact, many are headdresses, which are worn atop the head. When a headdress is worn, the wearer's face is usually disguised by plant fiber or cloth. These masks were not only worn, but danced. Costumed dancers enact stories from history and myth. Dances are sometimes slow and dignified, and other times frenetic. Drums, gongs, or handclaps set the pace. This spectacle of music, dance, and wearable art is called a masquerade. The function of a mask is to hide the wearer's face, allowing him or her to assume a different identity. The masquerader becomes a temporary home for a spirit. The spirit then uses the masquerader's body to perform ritual acts to benefit the community. |
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