Masks are
much more than just disguises! In festivals
and holidays around the world, masks elevate humans into the realm
of gods and demons alike. However, masks are more than just a
simple disguise. They turn the sacred and mundane into the magical
and can exude great power. The function of the mask may be to
personify spirits, gods, or ancestors, to assume social control,
or teach lessons in morality.
The mask is only part of
a ritual which also involves musicians, singers and dancers.
In many cultures it is hard to draw a line between the performers
and the audience. Mask performances have been important rituals
on the island of Bali for over 1,000 years. Some masks in Burma
are even presented with offerings on a regular basis by performers
and are segregated according to their good or evil tendencies
