Tradition Of Using Masks In Africa: Epa Helmet Mask
Art is defined as the expression of human creative ability and creativity. It often takes the form of a painting or model. The artist attempts to be recognized for their extraordinary power or passion. It is possible to have different views on beauty and worth. The Texas Southern library has the Heartman collection, the Epa Osanyin ancestor helmet mask. The figure is approximately 3.5ft tall and 14in wide. It’s topped by a helmet with a similar weight, weighing in at close to 50lbs. This analysis was developed to inform the public about the function and art of traditional Epa Helmet masks from the Yoruba people of North-Western.
Osanyin and Ebora, Orisas of forests (even Ebora), keep a rich flora. This is because it is believed that the forest has great power. Osanyin, also known as the sound of agogo gong (dancebell of power), is linked with agogo gun, which is used for turning away evil. Osanyin relates to nature by following the four elements of Osanyin as four leaves. The first ewe is ewe inon (leaves that are wind-blown); the second ewe is ewe alomi (leaves that are water); and the third ewe is ewe Igbo (leaves that are earthy and forest). These ministers have a good understanding of the leaf’s potential uses. They also know that there are many leaves that can be used to bring about ill health. They can be used as decoration or showers of filter to create an enchantment lake. The powers of herbs or powders to heal non-surgically is what this Healer/Priest specializes in. Osanyin can be described as a Yoruba herbal remedy or poisonous mushroom. Osanyin holds a wealth of information about herbal remedies that have been used to treat illness and enhance supernatural powers. Osanyin is the repository of endless information on herbal medicines that can be used to cure illness and esteem supernatural powers. It shows Olosanyin’s whisky. Olosanyin’s right hand holds an iron staff (opa odere) with winged symbolism. His left hand is a chevron horn made for impalas, which has been bolstered in the presence of a specialist. These horns could provide breakthrough solutions to psychological and physical problems. The unusually long hair of the minister is styled in a single interlace and embellished by medication gourd holders. Two musicians play their instruments on the mesh to finish the mesh. Oshamuko not only has an excellent understanding and specialized knowledge of the subject but also demonstrates imoju-mora in creating dynamic shapes from the minister’s clothes. The artist reached over the shoulders and necks of two chaperons to touch the medication gourds.
More detail can be seen in the carving of the mask from a single Ikoko hardwood, the largest of all the tropical African hardwoods. There are two faces to the helmet. One side is open and looks at the world around us. The other side is closed. The helmet has prominent almond bulging openings and a rectangular mouth. The helmet is actually a superstructure with a thin disk that divides the helmet’s wearable half from the figurine display. The Osanyin priest is the largest of the figurine cravings. There are also representatives from hunters, farmers and kings around him.
The origin of the Yoruba people is not definitively known.
It is a hotly debated topic about the Yoruba origins in Nigeria. Some believe they are from Mecca’s east while others claim they were from Egypt’s north. According to confirmation, Yoruba’s were in Yorubaland from the seventh century BC. Researchers believe that this zone was likely previously occupied by Nok cultures. Yorubaland encompasses the advanced countries of Nigeria, Togo, Benin. Yoruba, which is used to describe ethnicity, was not invented until the 16th century. It wasn’t widely used until the 19th century.
Yorubaland initially consisted 16 kingdoms. However, there were many other sub-kingdoms. An Oba (ruler), controls every kingdom, though each might have their own way of managing things. The Oba has complete control in a few cases, but the other chamber members have the option of making their own decisions. Majesty was not always handed down in the normal way, but it was sometimes. An electoral college was established to select an individual from among the many imperial family members. If any member of an illustrious royal or family committed a wrongdoing, they could be completely excused from the authorities.
The Yoruba had become one of Africa’s foremost kingdoms by the 8th century AD. Sungbo’s Eredo is a combination of huge barriers and careful dividers. It extends over 99 miles and rises 66ft high. It is Africa’s biggest pre-frontier landmark. The Bible and Quran both mention a connection between Queen of Sheba and the Quran. However, late archaic exploration might have shown that this is not the case.
Yoruba, who have cultivated and built urban areas since at least the twelfth-century, outperformed all other societies. They built towns around strongholds. High dividers were placed around Oba. Many Yoruba live in well-constructed homes. The Oyo Kingdom was established in the 15th century and is now one of West African’s most important states. Alaafin, also known as Alaafin, was the Oba who governed the Empire. The Empire soon grew in size and began to be close to other kingdoms.
Yoruba “A Divine Travel to the Innerself, God Consciousness,”
Yoruba refers to a West African spiritulity or otherworldliness. It is less than a religious faith that some anthropologists have determined is more than 10,000 years old. It also includes the convictions and sentences of Yoruba citizens, whose country is situated in South Western Nigeria. But the convictions against Yoruba can be viewed as a far-reaching and unprecedented measure. The movement that took places before the Egyptian descendants was a part of some of these cases. The Atlantic Slave Trade, which sent the Yoruba people to Trinidad, Tobago and Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Venezuela, resulted in the most recent relocation.
Many people from Africa are returning to their roots today through Yoruba spirituality research. The spirit or Yoruba revolves around self-manipulation. It also involves cooperating in nature’s spirits and with one’s predecessors. Finally, it is about getting perfect with Oludumare the god-like maker.
Oludumare does not have the gender of a person or an entity. It lives in an immense domain, which is far from where it was created. It does have sacred errands people that help it to broker between the Almighty God and Mankind. These spirits are called “Orishas” and they should be accepted by Yoruba to interface with them in order to attain God Consciousness.
There are many Orishas. Some are always available while others have the ability to make it to godlike status. There are also spirits that appear as common assets such as streams and trees. Although many are similar to an Angel in Western culture, there are key differences. Orisha’s can be flawed creatures. They are very human with a range of personality traits and dispositions. They are able to marry, be separated and have their favourite lagers. Orishas also live on Earth and not in the sky. There are 400, while others claim there are more. It is impossible to know the exact number. Every Orisha is unique in their shading, drum beats and even the attire they wear. Orishas also have the ability to gather their supporters and clerics. This is accomplished by using an elaborate move tradition where certain Orishas are invoked with a specific move or drum beat. The Orishas rise from the Earth to mount the spirits and bodies of those who are associated with the custom. These customs can be performed by both men and women. A few individuals associated with this custom have a tendency to be more open about their sexual orientation than others.
However, not all spirits can be considered great. “Ajogun” is a negative spirit that causes mishaps, depression and sickness in people’s lives. A priest is the person who will help you get rid of Ajogun.
Ashe can be described as an existence constraint similar to Chi in Chinese conventions. Ashe can bring about change, great or small. He is contained in everything: blood and hallowed titles to lightning storms and tropical storms.
Yoruba allows us to decide our fates even before we are conceived. This could be due in part to our location, our love and our life purpose. These fates are not ours once we’re conceived. We should fight to remember them again once we’re conceived. Counseling spirits is a good method to help one take control of his or her life.
Yoruba corrals with Christianity
Africans learned a large number of European methods, including their religion, at the time Europeans arrived in Africa. The Spanish, Portuguese and English Evangelical Catholicisms have made the Yoruba Otherworldliness more resilient than English Evangelical Christianity. Catholicism was akin to the Yoruba Faith. The belief in a God-like God that had many aids (holy ones and heavenly attendants). When the Yoruba converted to Catholicism, their Orisha became holy people. The transformation was not easy, however. Since the Yoruba believed in a greater degree in “great and shrewdness” in contrast to Catholicism, it was possible for their Orishas to withhold support.
The Christian Evangelical framework saw a significant number of Orisha’s canceled. The Catholic Yoruba combo is well-suited and can be practiced in Puerto Rico. Yoruba can seamlessly embrace many religions due to its versatility. This could be one reason for the religion’s widespread popularity. Yoruba is regarded as the most popular top 6 religion. Some people have learned both Catholicism as well as Yoruba. Others are abandoning their Christian Faith completely. They are attracted by the trust they have in African Roots. This is a personal association with the spirits, as well as a deep association with nature spirits.
Epa Festival
An Epa mask, or helmet, is used to celebrate and remember predecessors, cultural Saints and important figures within a community. The Epa celebrations, which are semi-annual and lasting for a week and recognize the contributions of the people in the region to building a strong network, started in Ekiti.
A cover is made when there are more than one masquerade. Oloko is the Epa festival’s first cover. He presented hunting and cultivation. The warrior who carries a lance, a gun and protects the land and people follows him. It is possible that he was an originator or leader in a particular town. Olosanyin, Osanyin’s minister, and Orisa, the god of herbal medicine, is seen immediately. He is a remarkable researcher in psychology and has the ability to identify and use corrective plants. Olosanyin has a trail companion, a lady who is known for being a pioneer of the women in the area. A male ruler on horseback is the last to appear.
Osanyin, meaning ‘god or herbal medicine’, delineates the Osanyin helmet and speaks to the power of these clerics in channeling the Osanyin intensity to increase the community’s security and prosperity. Osanyin masks are used to mark the Epa festival’s mid-mark. The huge helmets on the heads of Epa maskers allow them to move in controlled, graceful and steady movements during exhibitions. To show that their headpiece can be sustained, they must move around the town on a raised platform. If the helmet falls off during the dance, it is considered an ominous sign for the town. When the masks have been removed, they are stored in holy places that villager can visit to give thanks and make contributions.
All in all, it can be concluded that…
Africa has a long tradition with masks. It is believed enchantments were an essential part of their way to live well before the first century B.C. You can see that several African civilizations have utilized them extensively. Myths played an integral role in shaping the views of African peoples and maintaining cultural conventions within each territory. Many of their stories and customs provide information about the origins of the clans or how they came to be here. Others shared information about the historical background of tribes and the way they moved from their current areas to other zones. Stories and legends were shared to provide clarifications regarding the authorizations they made.
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