Some sites for researching African masks: African Art: Aesthetics and Meaning http://www.lib.virginia.edu/clemons/RMC/exhib/93.ray.aa/African.html An online catalog of an exhibition.  The Exhibition contains 14 photographs of African masks, and includes a paragraph for each that describes the mask in artistic and cultural terms.  (02/03) Making Connections:  African Masks and Headdresses http://www.virginia.edu/artmuseum/VirtualExhibitions/african/intro.html Provides photographs of 4 masks to help students draw connections between African art and art in our lives.  Explores the significance of the different colours, shapes, & patterns; describes how masks are actually worn and used in celebration and ceremonies; and offers activities based on the different masks presented.  (02/03) Art and Life in Africa http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/chapters/KML.html Provides information about the life of traditional Africans, as well as the role art plays in the life of the peoples of Africa.  Features photographs of a variety of art objects, including masks.  (02/03) Africa: Art and Culture: Masks and Secret Societies http://www.smb.spk-berlin.de/mv/afrika/e/masken1.htm Provides information about the role masks play in African life.  Includes 6 images of masks and information about their importance.  (02/03) In the Presence of Spirits http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/spirits/index.htm Examines art objects that reflect the influences of the supernatural world in both public and private life throughout sub-Saharan Africa.  The various sections deal with tribes and their ceremonies.  Includes artistic and cultural information for each of the images of art objects.  (02/03) Sub-Saharan African Art http://carlos.emory.edu/COLLECTION/AFRICA/ Features 11 thumbnail images, including 3 masks, with a brief caption about their origins and materials.  Clicking on the image enlarges it and provides text that explores the aesthetic qualities and cultural role.  (02/03) African Art: On and Off the Walls http://community.middlebury.edu/~atherton/AR325.html Features a wide variety of African art, including masks and textiles.  Themes include divination, fertility, sacred power, and political authority.  Unfortunately, very little explanation is provided with the images.  (01/12) Masks theme page http://www.cln.org/themes/masks.html Features information and instructions on masks and mask making.  Includes Japanese Noh masks, Nigerian masks, First Nations masks, etc.  Both curriculum resources and instructional materials are included.  (00/03) To go back to McMath Library Homepage click here:         http://public.sd38.bc.ca/~mcmathlib Created and maintained by Ms. B. Knoepfel (Teacher-Librarian), McMath Secondary School. Updated February 2007.