Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-09
MASKS AND FACES.
Counterfeits of Human Features in Ancient
and Modern Times.

Counterfeits of Human Features in Ancient
and Modern Times.
MASKS ARE OF VERY ANCIENT ORR
A'A gin. In a tomb 5000 years old at
Mycena DIR. Schtennann found two bodies with
faces covered by masks of gold. One Of the
masks represented the head Of lion. Among
the ancient Greeks the lion mask was a sign Of
distinction; with the Peruvians of old it was q
mark Of royal lineage. In q grave of consider
able antiquity in Peru silver mask was found
on the head of a mummy. The mummy Of a
prince. who lived in the reign of Rameses III,
discovered il q small vault at Memphis in
Egypt, had mask of gold leaf over the face
The Egyptians believed that human life had
its seat in the head. In order that the dead
person should rot really perish altogether, re-
productions Of the form, and particularly of the
face, Of the defunct were provided for the soul
to take up residence IN. As many as forty
such images have been found in a single tomb
and for the same object rich people had nu-
merous statues made to represent themselves as
well as the dear departed. Owing to the per-
petuation of this notion that carved and sculp-
tured figures of human beings are occupied by
spirits, il is very difficult to find a statue in
Egypt today that has not been more or less de-
faced and broken by the natives. who imagine
that In this manner they can render such spirits
powerless to harm them.
To perpetuate the visage of the dead it was
reproduced in the wood or stone of the case
which inclosed the mummy. All the features
were made complete, in order that the defunct
person should see, hear and taste. In ancient
Peru during periods Of public calamity the
faces Of the gods were covered with masks
The worship Of the head is carried to an ex-
aggerated point in the curious Indian myth
which describes the earth q bodiless head
rolling along flaming plains. Among tho In
dams Of North America many strange beliefs are
held respecting demon heads that wander about
sometimes harmlessly and at other time, for
malignant purposes. Some Of them are Of
gigantic size, with wings, while others have
faces Of fire.
There used to be society among the Iroouois
organized for the purpose Of propitiating these
extraordinary terrors. The latter according to
popular conception, most commonly moved
about from tree to tree in solitary places where
they were apt to be encountered, much to the
discomfort Of hunters and women who CHANGED
to be alone in the forest. Few things can be
imagined more disagreeable than to meet unex-
pectedly In the woods great head six feet high,
without legs, arms or body. Occasionally these
remarkable creatures would talk, but it was
chiefly at night that they had fiery aspect,
their favorite nocturnal haunts being marshes
and pools Members Of the exercising society
wore masks in imitation Of the heads when they
performed ceremonies for the purpose Of driv-
Ing such demons away. OF course the fire.
faces were invented to account for the jack-o'-
lanterns or ''ignes fatui" which haunt moist
places.
Savage tribes very commonly make use of
masks. Among the Zunis at the ceremony of
the "kokko" various individuals get themselves
up to represent the different gods. On donning
his mask the actor becomes not only the repre-
sentative OF the god, but is endowed with some
OF the functions and powers Of the divinity.
Among other things he is given the breath
Of the god By the Makah Indians masks rep
resenting the head of the Thunder Bird are
worn, the nose Of the wearer being covered by
Q long beak. In the ''bear dances" practiced
by many tribes the heads Of those who partici-
pate are covered with masks taken from the
heads OF bears, and likewise it used to be in the
buffalo dances" The medicine man while
performing his magical rites commonly covers
his head with bears mask. Many Indian
masks are made to counterfeit the heads of diff
ferent kinds Of birds.
The natural confguration Of many noun
tains suggests the human face, and such physi-
economies cut out Of the rocks on a gigantic
scale are commonly regarded by savsges as OBJ
tects Of worship. Ellen Russell Emerson, to
whom the writer Is much indebted, says tn at
the Thunder Bird Of the Thlinkits is described
hills When In want of food he provides him
self with pair Of wings and q mask in the
shape Of . birds head, the latter having beak
~ sharp - . knife and ga tongue that makes
fire." Thus arrayed the god spreads his wings
and sails ever the ocean in search Of q whale.
By his side and attached to his waist Il the
lightning demon, which darts upon the prey
and fetches 1t TO the hungry god.
In the ancient Greek drama, - 10 well known,
the actors used commonly to wear masks rep
resenting the gods and heroes Aristophanez
buriesqued this practice. bringing upon the
stage Q chorus in masks depicting frogs. waspa
and other animals. In the dialogue Peisthtairos
says to Epops. pray tell me, where are your
feathers?" To which Epops, who has the head
Of . bird and . fes;hsrless body, replies. ut Il
the moulting season"