West African Mask

Woyo mask

This is one of West Africa's traditional masks that is made by the Woyo people. The Woyo tribe lived in Cabinda and spread towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These masks are usually brightly painted and are used for ritual dances along with costumes made of banana leaves. The colors that are used are symbolic and are sometimes repainted so that the mask renews its 'power'.

I chose this mask because it's colorful and brightly decorated. Perhaps the colors of this mask were inspired by the Woyo's enivironment, since they lived on the Atlantic coast.



West African Proverb and its meaning

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

My interpretation of this proverb is that the sea is a metaphor for life and the sailors represent humans. Just as a sailor can only learn how to survive at sea under difficult conditions, so do humans need adversity in order to develop life skills. If you are not being challenged than there is no opportunity for coping and survival skills to develop.

Mosaics

     A mosaic is when you use small materials to create a larger image. Mosaics are kind of like collages, and can be made out of any materials. Paper, beans, glass tiles or ceramic tiles can be used to create a mosaic.
I choose this mosaic because I like all the different colors and shapes the artist used. I also liked how the swirls join together in the upper middle to make a flower design.
     For my project I am planning to make a design of a lion, moon or sun. I think I'll use colored paper or glass tiles.

Can a woman be as strong as a man in times of peace and war?

     There have been many doubts over womens ability to lead. There are not many women in positions of power yet in recent decades we have seen more women in leadership positions. Of course women can be as strong leaders as men. They may even give a new meaning to the whole concept of leading. Traditionally, women have been in the role of homemakers and have been responsible for raising children and keeping the family unit strong. Through this role women have aquired many skills such as planning/organizing, building and balancing relationships, and decision making. All these are characteristics of a strong leader.
     Historically as a homemaker women have been organizing and planning the household for centuries. They have developed so many skills on the small scale of a home, that when they go out into the greater society they can take these skills to a position of leadership. Women who are leaders in government or politics have to make plans and organize stratigies in order to be good at their jobs.
     Leaders who are successful are often the ones who know how to have good relationships with their co workers and supporters. Within the family, women are very experienced at building and balancing relationships. Even when women are young girls its really important to them to have good relationships with their friends and family. On the other hand, boys at the same age would prefer to run around with toy guns and pretend they're at war. Maybe if there were more women in power in the government then there would be fewer wars around the world. This is because women have other ways of solving conflicts.
     To be a successful leader you are always making desicions. Leaders have to take initiative and can't be indecisive. If women trust their abilities, more women can get into decison making positions.
     In conclusion, I believe its really great to see more woman taking more powerful positions. With their leadership they are setting an example of strength and becoming role models for girls. Hopefully, there will be more of a balance in leadership between women and men in the future.