The 42 Laws of Maat & the Sassywood Ordeal

Judgement Scene from Ancient Egypt

The 42 Laws of Maat and the sassywood ordeal are both ancient African traditions that were used to determine guilt or innocence. The 42 Laws of Maat were a set of moral principles that were believed to be the foundation of a just and orderly society. The sassywood ordeal was a ritual in which a person was forced to drink a potion made from the sassywood tree. If the person was innocent, they would not be harmed by the potion. However, if the person was guilty, they would die.

Both the 42 Laws of Maat and the sassywood ordeal were based on the belief that there is a moral order in the universe and that people can be held accountable for their actions. They also both emphasized the importance of truth and justice.

Trial by Ordeal

However, there are also some important differences between the two traditions. The 42 Laws of Maat were a set of moral principles that were used to guide people’s lives. The sassywood ordeal, on the other hand, was a ritual that was used to determine guilt or innocence. The 42 Laws of Maat were also more complex than the sassywood ordeal. They consisted of a long list of specific moral principles, while the sassywood ordeal was a more general test of innocence.

Despite their differences, the 42 Laws of Maat and the sassywood ordeal are both important examples of African moral traditions. They demonstrate the importance of truth, justice, and compassion in African cultures.

The Seven Afrotropical Seals

Is the mask the devil?

The idea of Liberian masks being referred to as “devil masks” is a misnomer and is based on a lack of understanding and misinterpretation of the cultural significance of the masks. 

Masks are an important part of many African cultures, and they often represent spirits, ancestors, or other supernatural entities. In Liberia, masks are used in various cultural and religious contexts, including the Camarilla Mask™ societies.

The masks are not intended to represent devils or evil spirits, but rather specific spiritual entities that are revered and respected within their cultural context. The use of masks is often associated with important ceremonies, such as initiations and funerals, and is considered an important part of maintaining cultural identity and tradition.

Unfortunately, due to the history of colonialism and Christianization in Africa, there has been a tendency to demonize traditional African beliefs and practices. This has led to a misinterpretation of the cultural significance of masks and other traditional African art forms, which are often labeled as “primitive” or “evil” by outsiders.

Some Christian traditions have given the devil additional names or titles, such as “Lucifer,” which means “light-bringer” and is derived from a passage in Isaiah 14:12-15, though this passage is widely interpreted as referring to the fall of a Babylonian king rather than the devil.


Why is the mask (מסכה) referred to the people as “the Devil” when the devil has a name?

Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24,27, Mark 1:34, 3:22), The name used for the devil is right in the bible. It is coming from the ancient Babylonian god Baal for “lord” and Zebub meaning “the maggots of a fly”. Also the Mohammedans in the Koran 2:14 and 2:102 mention the name of the devil as Shayaatiynihim ((شزذثش A Plural for the Ashuric/ Syriac (Arabic) Equivalent Shaytaan of the Aramic (Hebrew) Word Satan. When the Preachers and Imaams refer to him as Shaytan or Satan that is what he is: Shay ((قي،- A thing: Tiyn (طين0 – clay- a thing of clay – that is not a name that’s a description of what he is made of.
Mask on the other hand are made of predominantly wood, metal, cowry shells, wooden beads.

In the Quran, the name for the devil is “Iblis.” This name is derived from the Arabic word “أَبْلِيس” (Iblees) which means “despair” or “despondency.”

In conclusion, while the masks of Liberia may be referred to as “devil masks” by some, this is a misnomer that reflects a lack of understanding and cultural sensitivity. It is important to recognize the cultural significance of these masks and to appreciate them within their proper context.

Tékpwfárí Stíx Él Rá

Reclaiming the African Spiritual System

In observing those adorned with the Camarilla Mask™ 16 Tribes® Necklace, one can sense the resonance of an era when Africa was imbued with the true essence of the African Spirit

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