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.”
“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.
(Translation: “In the bush, money is hidden, not lost.”)
ARVE Error: No oembed src detected ARVE Error: No oembed src detected ARVE Error: Need Provider and ID to build iframe src.
“Yei dà bɛ̀ ka dà, nyaa me!” (Translation: “In the bush, money is hidden, not lost.”) Meaning: Wealth may not always be visible or easily accessible, but it can be found or acquired with effort and resourcefulness.
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.
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
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
