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.