Mask of an Iyoba

African cultures are not very widely known in the world, but they should be because there are many interesting things to know. For example Benin culture, which will be discussed in the topic, has a very rich culture that is not similar to any other culture in history.

In the Middle Ages, Portugal was very active in seeking trading opportunities through navigation and was focused especially on Africa and the East. Regions where Benin is situated today were very popular with slave traders in the Middle Ages. During four centuries, the Portuguese transported millions of Africans across the Atlantic.

Atlantic slave trade was widely known in Middle Ages and was named The Middle Passage. It was the way of triangular trade, by which thousands of people from Africa were moved to the New World.

The Middle Passage was named after forming a shape of a triangle that made a specific system: Europe (England, Portugal, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Brandenburg) to Africa, Africa (Upper Guinea, Senegambia, Windward Coast, Bight of Benin, Gold Coast, West Central Africa and Southeastern Africa, Bight of Biafra) to America and America to Europe.

Soon, the Portuguese were claimed as divine visitors from the watery world. They were considered to be the equivalent of the mudfish because they could both "swim" (in their boats) and walk on land. Benin people claimed mudfish the symbol of transformation and power. Accordingly to this believing, the Portuguese people seemed to be born of the sea and owned their special weapon such as musketry and rifles.

Creation of the mask is connected with association of the mudfish and the Portuguese. To be more exact it is a decorative design that forms the tiara of an ivory mask.

This mask, as the story tells, was worn only by the Oba, probably around his neck, during the Emobo ceremony. The pendant is made to display Esigie’s mother, the queen named Idia. That sarina used her magic to rescue oppressed citizens from invasion of neighboring kingdom. This ancient and invaluable work of art deeply sank into the culture of its people and complemented on the inside. The fact of how skillfully, nattily and artistically the mask was created, how delicately it is outlined by mosaic, was observed the development level of people and their skills in ancient times.

If one tries to seek for the real role of that mask, for the role, which it played in people’s lives, then there is right time to give an example some other similar things.The Ka'aba (translated as "the cube" in Arabic) is an immemorial stone structure that was built for the purpose of monotheistic worship. People believed, worshiped, and had a hope in their hearts when they came to this place.

There is one more example, The mosque of Djingareyber is the oldest, greatest and most magnificent complex of the three mosques. All the times, people honored and loved this place.

Therefore, it can be a mask or a place, but everything that was mentioned above had its sacral place or was an object to worship and applying honors.

Islamic architecture is mostly expressed in religious buildings such as the madrasah and mosque. Characteristic things in building temples were semicircular horseshoe arches, for example. Religious architecture had its own scheme. For example, a mosque plan consisted of four vaulted halls. These features of construction were found later in Taj Mahal and Mughal places.

Two vertical lines or scars of inlaid iron between the eyes intimate to medicine-filled incisions that were like the only one source of Idias metaphysical power. The top of the pendant is framed by heads portraying the Portuguese, symbolizing Benin's advantage over Europeans. What is interesting, Portuguese continued to appear in Benin’s art long after they had disappeared from Benin at all.

The structure of Iyoba’s mask is very interesting, uppermost because of its composition and materials of which it is created. It has varied composition and slight asymmetry. It is not just a position of colors, as one can see, that prevails in most ivory colors. The mask has elongated oval shape, asymmetrical big mouth with plum lips, and its nose is oblong and wide. At the top, there is high forehead outlined with brilliant mosaics.

Western civilization and African culture is indescribably beautiful. African beauty is unique. People who live on this continent are, probably, the most diverse people on the planet. African traditions, culture, customs, and languages are varicolored. Western Civilizations highly affected the culture of Africa. The effects of western cultures are divided into several phases: political, economic, and social effects.

If compared to African customs, the Portuguese culture is far more expressive. Craftspeople settled in every corner of Portugal, what shows us that men and women were very hardworking.

All that has been said shows that culture heritage enriches history and helps to understand it more clearly and deeply.

The memo was written by professional writer Olivia Adamson, if you want to see more visit freshessay writing service.