Saturday, March 22, 2014
AFRICAN PASSPORT MASK UP FOR AUCTION!
Passport Mask: Up for Auction in support of
"APE ACTION AFRICA"!
An amazing opportunity to bid on a fantastic Passport Mask, straight from Cameroon, Africa.
The monies will go directly to APE ACTION AFRICA and to help build a much needed quarentine facility, in order for AAA to rescue more animals in need.
The Passport Mask is on display at the Framing Dames, and will be part of the April 5th
ARTISAN FOR APES, taking place at the Framing Dames, April 5, from 5PM to 9PM. If you can't come to the event please consider placing a bid!
BIDDING STARTS AT $100.00.
To place a bid please call Framing Dames at 416 287 2025. You will be required to leave a credit card number to reserve your bid.
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| The Framed Passport Mask is 11" X 13" in size. The mask itself is 3.25" X 5.25". |
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| THe Passport Mask is multi-coloured with an elephant on top. |
The true story of the African "Passport"
The passport masks were used by the Central African population (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo) before the Europeans arrived in Africa.
There were many different forms of masks because:
- They were used as identity cards and passports for internal travel
- They indicated the social position of each member of the village or tribe
- They were used to distinguish the different guilds
The colors of the masks were considered as a kind of writing, such as calligraphy, hieroglyphics and the alphabet.
The same color position could be found in certain masks.
However these colors did not have the same meaning if their forms were different .
Also the colors had different meanings in different tribes.
It was necessary to know that when there were many colors on the mask you were considered as a young apprentice and the more skills you acquired in your profession or your future social status, the less colors you had.
The people who had uniform colored mask were considered as advisors or masters.
Examples of Passports : warrior, hunter, stonemason, fisherman, blacksmith, farmer, pastor, notary storyteller, griot, musician, wrestler, dancer, sculptor, painter, potter, weaver, visionary, goddess of beauty, wise man etc.
The same color position could be found in certain masks.
However these colors did not have the same meaning if their forms were different .
Also the colors had different meanings in different tribes.
It was necessary to know that when there were many colors on the mask you were considered as a young apprentice and the more skills you acquired in your profession or your future social status, the less colors you had.
The people who had uniform colored mask were considered as advisors or masters.
Examples of Passports : warrior, hunter, stonemason, fisherman, blacksmith, farmer, pastor, notary storyteller, griot, musician, wrestler, dancer, sculptor, painter, potter, weaver, visionary, goddess of beauty, wise man etc.
THE ANIMALS NEED YOUR HELP!