Bassa Mask Proverb

Bounɓoɔ̀ mɔ̀ ḿ dyí-gmɔ̀-nyɔ̀ kà ɓáɖáá-dyí-gmɔ̀-nyɔ̀ gmɔ̀à ɓáɖáá dyíɛ.

Ɔ jèɛɛ, ḿ se ɖɛ ɖò kpéɖéɛ mu.

2Ɔ kpa ḿ, ɓɛ́ ḿ ké dyi pɛ̃́ ɖé pìǐ ɓɛ̀ɖɛ̀ɛ̀-ɓɛ̀ɖɛ̀ɛ̀ gbǎ ɓěɔ̀ mú.

Ɔ kpa ḿ ɓó zii-nì pɛ̀ɛ̀ ɓěɔ̀ gbìǐ.

3Ɔ po ní zùùɔ̀ kpéí ɖe.

Ɔ kpàìn ḿ ɖé hwìè sɛ́ɖɛ́ìn dyíɛɛ xwíníín, ɓó ɔ nyɛ́nɛ́ɔ̀ jè.

4Kɛbì ḿ mɛ nà ɖé gĩɔ tíe-kpòɛ̀ bɔɔ̀ múɛɛ,

ḿ se fã̀à ɖò peɖeɛ́ mu,

sepóɛɖé Bounɓo, m̀ nì ɓó ḿ gbo.

Nì ɓáɖáá-dyí-gmɔ̀ìn-ɓà-cùɔ̀ kè nì kùì-kpàɔ̀, wa mɔ̀ ḿ dyí-gmɔ̀ìn-ɖɛ̀.

5M̀ naɓaà téɓèɖè ɖò ɓó ḿ bìì,

ɓó ní mú-nyɛ́-nyɔ̀ ɓěɔ̀ dyéɖé waí.

M̀ kpɔ̃ ní jè dyi dyììn ɖé ḿ cáná nɔ̀mɔ̀ nyɔ́ún dúún-po-po mú.

M̀ dyíìn ní kópòɔ̀, ké ɔ zĩ̀ìn dyi.

6Jǎà jɛ́ɛ́, nì kpeɖeɛ̀-dyíin-nɔ̀mɔ̀-nɔ̀mɔ̀ɔ̀ kè nì ɖɛ̀ɓɛ̀ǐn-ɖɛ̀ɓɛ̀ǐn se-sèìn-naín-kɔ̃̀ɔ̀ mu ɓó ḿ gbo nììn ɖé ní fɛ̀ɛ̀-wè séín mú.

Ké ní mu ɖé nì gbǒɔ̀ mú cĩ́ìn kánáá pū.

מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִ֑ד
יְהוָ֥ה רֹ֝עִ֗י לֹ֣א אֶחְסָֽר׃
בִּנְא֣וֹת דֶּ֭שֶׁא יַרְבִּיצֵ֑נִי
עַל־מֵ֖י מְנֻח֣וֹת יְנַהֲלֵֽנִי׃
נַפְשִׁ֥י יְשׁוֹבֵ֑ב
יַֽנְחֵ֥נִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי־צֶ֝֗דֶק לְמַ֣עַן שְׁמֽוֹ׃
גַּ֤ם כִּֽי־אֵלֵ֨ךְ בְּגֵ֪יא צַלְמָ֡וֶת
לֹא־אִ֘ירָ֤א רָ֗ע כִּי־אַתָּ֥ה עִמָּדִ֑י
שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי׃
תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ לְפָנַ֨י ׀ שֻׁלְחָ֗ן נֶ֥גֶד צֹרְרָ֑י
דִּשַּׁ֖נְתָּ בַשֶּׁ֥מֶן רֹ֝אשִׁ֗י כּוֹסִ֥י רְוָיָֽה׃
אַ֤ךְ ׀ ט֤וֹב וָחֶ֣סֶד יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי כָּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֑י
וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י בְּבֵית־יְ֝הוָ֗ה לְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמִֽים

“Celestial Nexus: The Black Pyramid of Afrotropical Sciences”

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A Call to Wear the Camarilla Mask Necklace with Consciousness

We belong to a lineage that spans centuries, united by principles of truth, unity, and personal growth. While the teachings of the 16 tribes are sacred, their power lies in being lived and shared openly. One of the most meaningful ways to express these values is by wearing the Camarilla Mask Necklace. This symbol represents not just membership but a lifelong commitment to personal development and the community. Wearing it invites questions and opens the door for meaningful conversations about the legacy and values we embody.

Though every conversation may not be easy, even small gestures—like a kind word or a personal reflection—can plant seeds of understanding. You don’t need to have every answer; sincerity and openness are enough. In a world filled with fleeting connections, the necklace reminds us of something deeper: unity in diversity, a commitment to growth, and the shared journey toward building a better society.

When you wear the Camarilla Mask Necklace with pride, you become a living testament to the values of the 16 tribes. Reflect on the meaning of the mask, let its essence shine through your actions, and inspire others with your quiet strength and dedication.

Aims and Purpose

The different parts of a tree in Bassa:

For Mask Kadets

Different parts of a tree include:

1. Roots: The underground part of the tree that anchors it in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients.
2. Trunk: The main stem of the tree that provides support and carries water and nutrients between the roots and the leaves.
3. Branches: The woody extensions of the trunk that grow outwards and support the leaves, flowers, and fruits.
4. Leaves: The flat, green structures attached to the branches that carry out photosynthesis, producing food for the tree.
5. Bark: The protective outer covering of the trunk and branches that helps prevent water loss and protects against pests and diseases.
6. Twigs: The small, thin branches that grow from the larger branches and hold the leaves.
7. Buds: Small, undeveloped growths on the branches that contain the potential for new leaves, flowers, or shoots.
8. Flowers: The reproductive structures of the tree that produce pollen and attract pollinators for fertilization.
9. Fruits: The mature ovaries of the tree that contain seeds and are often consumed by animals, aiding in seed dispersal.
10. Seeds: The reproductive units of the tree that contain the embryo and are capable of developing into new trees.

These are some of the main parts of a tree, but there may be additional specialized structures depending on the species of tree.

In Bassa, the parts of a tree can be described as follows:

1. Nɛ̀ɛ̀nɛ̀: Roots
2. Dyù: Trunk
3. Cu: Branches
4. Dyé: Leaves
5. Ɓɔ̀ɔ̌: Bark
6. Dyèɖè: Twigs
7. Dyé-ɓó: Buds
8. Dyé-dyùa: Flowers
9. Dyé-ɖɛ̀: Fruits
10. Dyoɔ: Seeds

These terms in Bassa represent the different parts of a tree.

Bassa Parts of a Tree Masktape™

Available Soon!!!

Shaping the Camarilla Mask™: Roughing Out the Contours

Before diving into those intricate details, start by focusing on the overall shape of your wood mask. Use larger gouges to carve out the basic curves of the face – the rise of the cheekbones, the slope of the nose, the hollow of the eyes.

Think of it like sculpting with clay – you’re establishing the main features first.  Pay attention to symmetry and proportions. Remember, wood is forgiving! You can always remove more, but adding it back is tricky.

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#camarillamaskacademy

Ksmarala Dyuu™ Tekpwfari Starkraft Masktape Intro

“בית הכוכבים”

The knowledge is not set down explicitly in books but is embodied in the מסכה itself. In essence מסכה is in a nature of a divine rite meant to instill in the beholder an understanding of creation and creative power. The face of the מסכה is that of Ancestral Man and Woman. Man before slavery and the perfected man/ woman. One who has regained his cosmic consciousness through his or her own method…

Celestial Mask Intelligence @Tekpwfari Stix El Ra

Ksmarala Dyuu™ Tekpwfari Starkraft Masktape Intro

Sources:

Cissé, Youssouf. “Sogo Sigi: Une esthétique des masques Dogon.” (2008).

Griaule, Marcel. “Conversations with Ogotemmeli: An Introduction to Dogon Religious Ideas.” (1965).

Davis, Stephen. “Reggae Bloodlines: In Search of the Music and Culture.” (1978). Chapter 8: “Burning Spear: The Fire Still Burns.”

Enhancing Development in Liberia

“The failure to integrate indigenous knowledge into the Western educational system adopted in Liberia denies Liberians a potentially expansive knowledge base for solving problems. Indigenous methods of child rearing and socialization, for example, are not sufficiently informing academic studies and training programs relevant to nurturing children; nor has the study of indigenous institutions of governance been incorporated into the study of political science or public administration. As a result, the impact of indigenous patterns of authority relations on the nurturing of children as citizens is hardly ever considered as part of the intellectual inquiry of institutions of learning. The fact that the very concept of citizenship varies from ethnic community to ethnic community has implications for the conception of Liberian citizenship generally. These have not been fully explored. Thus, there is a compelling need to provide a more organized and systematic explanation of local knowledge and practices and to incorporate these into the framework of an appropriate educational and training program if the educational system of Liberia is to serve as an effective agent in nurturing citizens and generating knowledge to enhance development.”

Excerpt from “Beyond Plunder” by Dr. Amos C. Sawyer

Interim President of the Republic of Liberia

Camarilla Masktape Influence

Camarilla Masktape™

“The consumption of masktapes embodies an organic essence, akin to the fermenting nature of yeast within the cognitive realm. There exist certain notions that surpass mere conceptualization; these ideas, I sense, embody a vitality, akin to the spirits of our ancestors. The intent behind these masktapes transcends the mere accumulation of information, aiming instead to transform the very fabric of the mind, rendering it receptive to the profound influences of our ancestral lineage.” Tékpwfárí Stix El Rá

Visit Star and Shield Clothing Masktape page for a full collection of masktapes including our latest release the Grebo Masktape Vol. 1.

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