Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century | Stunning Native American Masks - Video

Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century | Stunning Native American Masks

Stunning Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century.

Whether gorgeous or terrifying, these Native American masks reveal a group of cultures on the verge of disappearing forever.

Navajo man, half-length, seated, facing front, wearing a ceremonial mask with feathers and with fir or spruce branches forming a wreath around the shoulders, 1904.

Person wearing Mask of Tsunukwalahl, a mythical being, used during the Winter Dance, 1914.

Navajo man wearing mask of Ganaskidi, god of harvests, plenty, and of mists, 1905.

Koskimo person wearing full-body fur garment, oversized gloves and mask of Hami ("dangerous thing") during the numhlim ceremony, 1914.

Tonenili-Navajo, dressed in spruce branches, 1904-1905.

Kwakiutl person wearing a mask of the mythical creature Pgwis (man of the sea), 1914.

Navajo man wearing leather mask with basket cap, fur ruff, nude torso painted with white lines, 1904-1905.

Ceremonial mask worn by a dancer portraying the hunter in Bella Bella mythology who killed the giant man-eating octopus. The dance was performed during Tluwulahu, a four-day ceremony prior to the Winter Dance, 1914.

Navajo man wearing dark mask, fur ruff, paint on torso, 1904-1905.

A Navajo man, full-length, in ceremonial dress including mask and body paint, 1904.

Dancer wearing raven mask with coat of cormorant skins during the numhlin ceremony, 1914.

Dancer wearing oversize mask, three rings of feathers in front of clothing, holding a rattle, 1913.

Navajo man bedecked in hemlock boughs and mask of a clown associated with the mischievous rain god Tonenili, "Water Sprinkler," 1905.

Kwakiutl person wearing an oversize mask and hands representing a forest spirit, Nuhlimkilaka ("bringer of confusion"), 1914.

Man dressed in a full-body bear costume. The bear had the duty of guarding the dance house, 1914.

Navajo man wearing dark leather mask, fur ruff, cloth girdle, silver concho belt and necklaces, 1904-1905.

Dancer representing Paqusilahl ("man of the ground embodiment"), wearing a mask and shirt covered with hemlock boughs, representing paqus, a wild man of the woods, 1914.

Navajo man wearing mask of Haschebaad, a benevolent female deity, 1905.

During the winter ceremony, Kwakiutl dancers wearing masks and costumes crouch in foreground with others behind them. The chief on the far left holds a speaker's staff. Three totem poles in background, 1914.

Ceremonial dancer, full-length portrait, standing, wearing mask and a fur garments during the Winter Dance ceremony, 1914.

A ceremonial mask of Nunivak, 1929.

Person wearing ceremonial mask of the Nuhlimahla during the Winter Dance ceremony. These characters impersonated fools and were noted for their devotion to filth and disorder, 1914.

Woman wearing a fringed Chilkat blanket, a hamatsa neckring and mask representing deceased relative who had been a shaman, 1914.

Two Native American men in costumes wearing horns of buffaloes, 1927.

Sisiutl, one of the main dancers in the Winter Dance ceremonies, wearing a double-headed serpent mask and shirt made of hemlock boughs, 1914.

The essential irony of most any mask is that it doesn't actually conceal its wearer from the world, but instead expresses both their inner self and their culture better than their bare face ever could. While that may be less true today — as many modern masks are used for fun — it was certainly true of these Native American masks from the early 1900s.

From the Navajo to the Koskimo to the Kwakiutl and beyond, many Indigenous tribes across the Americas have historically placed great social and cultural importance on masks. Some are used in storytelling, while others are used in spiritual ceremonies. Yet others are used in dances.

Whatever their purpose, there's no doubt that these Native American masks are visually arresting. But for Indigenous people, these masks are so much more than just artistic creations. Among many tribes, these masks are sacred. In some cases, they may even be considered living entities.

But in the early 20th century, many of these cultural heirlooms were at risk of vanishing forever. At the time, the U.S. government was pushing hard for the disappearance of the cultures and tribes that these masks represented. From reservations to assimilation schools, white authorities were determined to force Native Americans into white society at any cost.

Native American Masks,Native American Masks Of The Early 20th Century,Stunning Native American Masks,native american,native american art,native american masks,native american history,masks,american indian masks,native american culture masks,northwest native american masks,american,native,american masks,native americans,native american mascots,native america,native american 1800's,native american worksheets,native american art work,native american culture