Mask Makers Web

Tari Topeng Cirebon, or mask dances of Cirebon, are the oldest form of West Javanese dance, and come from the north coast. These dances are performed in full costume but are edited versions of the original traditional dances, which would traditionally be accompanied by a live gamelan orchestra and last about one hour. Anna Ingleby learned these dances while living in Indonesia for two years, 1996-98. Her teacher was Ibu Nunung Nurasih who is from a family of mask dancers and now lives and teaches in Bandung, West Java.

Added on: Sep 09, 2002 | Hits: 8290

Music, dance and drama are all closely related in Bali, in fact drama and dance are synonymous. The most important thing about Balinese dances, however, is that they're fun and accessible. Balinese dances are not hard to find; there are dances virtually every night at all the tourist centers.

Added on: Jun 20, 2002 | Hits: 8345

Ponorogo is most well known for the reog mask dance, which is said to have been created by one of the kings of Kediri in the 12th century. The performance re-enacts a legendary battle between Pujangga Anom, a minister from the court of Ponorogo, and Singa Barong, guardian spirit of the forest of Lodoyo.

Added on: Jun 20, 2002 | Hits: 8407

(SUN DANCE Good article. The wi~htikokancimuwin, "wthtiko-like dance,"was a masked performance often given during the Sun dance period. The wlkhko was a cannibalistic character in the folklore of the Wood Cree. Tales concerning.this spirit power were sometimes told among the Plains Cree, but the spirit was never seen in the prairie country and imbued only the forest inhabitants with man-eating desires. Except for the name, this character does not figure in the dance.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 8502

Ritual performance The spirit of Tibet, the "land of snows", comes vividly to live as the eleven nuns perform colourful masked dances and vibrant harmonic chants.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 8647

Wonderful photocollection of maskdancers. German website

Added on: Jul 01, 2002 | Hits: 8675

Video Clip of Chuna McIntrye and the Nunamta Dancers performing at the opening ceremonies of the Agayuliyararput Exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian on March 31, 1997

Added on: Feb 21, 2001 | Hits: 8720

Photogallery. Photos can be downloaded and used.

Added on: Jun 06, 2002 | Hits: 8753

Site not quite working - but looks interesting...Under construction?

Added on: Nov 17, 2002 | Hits: 8806

Unique maskart ! Workshops, performance. "Movement - Using movement and simple and delightful paper sculptures the participants build themselves, they charge and magnify whichever part of the body chosen to come alive and perform. The body becomes its own sculpture that we can watch magically grow in any direction possible! Mask-making - Participants learn traditional costume construction and the techniques for masks and textiles used in Sha Sha's work. The masks are made musical and are brought to play at performances."

Added on: May 19, 2002 | Hits: 8827

s Cham Dancers Cham dances take place in monasteries on certain festive occasions which vary according to a monastery's lineage. Monks cover their faces with masks representing the entourage of protector deities, historical or mythical characters. They reenact the visions of great lamas, events in the lives of saints or certain rituals particular to local tradition or lineage. Photos of wonderful Cham Danncer dolls. Portraying the dancers. See how they are made, using same materials as when masks are made. Special paper and clay.

Added on: Jun 05, 2002 | Hits: 8874

Une compagnie de danse et d'art dramatique, cr??e en 1980 ? (Version in french) Abidjan (C?te d'Ivoire) par Diallo Ticoua? Vincent. Percussions, chants, th??tre, danses, jeux de masques, acrobaties puis?s dans le r?pertoire de la pure tradition africaine associ?s ? des cr?ations, donnent une vision du spectacle mi-moderne mi-traditionnelle.

Added on: Jan 03, 2001 | Hits: 8904

by Ellie Kuykendall

Added on: Nov 17, 2002 | Hits: 8987

Story and photos by Fr. Brad Reynolds, SJ, who has published countless photos and stories in publications across the country, including National Geographic. He works as formation director for the Oregon Province.

Added on: Jul 02, 2002 | Hits: 9044

8 photos

Added on: Jan 08, 2001 | Hits: 9084

The History of the Wanaragua Dance.Honduras. The origin of this masked dance dates back to the epoch in which the Gar?funa inhabited Saint Vincent Island (XVII-XIX century). In those days, the British colonizers infiltrated the island, setting their sight on the huge expansions of land and the local work force, the Black Carib. These Gar?funa ancestors resisted imperialist attacks and engaged in armed conflict with the British. This dance readopts the disguise that the Gar?funa warrior utilized as a strategic defense against British forces. It is a celebration of their military victories.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 9096

The Bassari are an ethnic minority who live in the Eastern region of Senegal. They are characterized by self-withdrawal in refusing to the modern world. The still live according to ancestral traditions, attempting to save them and pass them on in their true from. The other charcteristic of the Bassari is found in the beauty of the sites.Villages, melody of their language and especially in the art and decoration.In Barrari country, all mask dances are sacerd. They are performed according to a calendar which is strictly followed.It doesn't matter of involves popular dance or a dance for rejoicing: it must be supported by the ancient guardians and protectors of the tradition. For the Bassari, the drum is sacred and the maskds are made without the momen. Knowing and without their prescence. The masks are with vires and plm leaves. The beads which decorate the masks are also used by women to add decoration to their long black skirts- used as a costume in the dances The Bassari are an ethnic minority who live in the Eastern region of Senegal. They are characterized by self-withdrawal in refusing to the modern world. The still live according to ancestral traditions, attempting to save them and pass them on in their true from. The other charcteristic of the Bassari is found in the beauty of the sites.Villages, melody of their language and especially in the art and decoration.In Barrari country, all mask dances are sacerd. They are performed according to a calendar which is strictly followed.It doesn't matter of involves popular dance or a dance for rejoicing: it must be supported by the ancient guardians and protectors of the tradition. For the Bassari, the drum is sacred and the maskds are made without the momen. Knowing and without their prescence. The masks are with vires and plm leaves. The beads which decorate the masks are also used by women to add decoration to their long black skirts- used as a costume in the dances

Added on: Jul 21, 2002 | Hits: 9103

The deer dancer wears a tall mask / headpiece with large antlers, and the movements of the graceful and noble deer are beautiful and poignant in the expression of freedom. With elegant jumps, turns of the head, and proud body movement, the life of the deer is recounted; traveling through the forest, jumping into the air, grazing in the meadows and meeting the hunter.

Added on: Jun 18, 2002 | Hits: 9105

The lion dance used to be performed to celebrate special occasions like the day of greeting new year or wedding party in China. The motions of lion dance are so soft as well as dynamic. That??s why those motions suggest the actions of ??Kung fu??. They play the dance with unique music which is based on various percussion instruments and has vigorous rhythms.

Added on: Oct 11, 2002 | Hits: 9140

Iwahmi Kagura is comprised of 48 stories handed down for generations. It is not a one full story but compilation of various genres. So the performance may vary depending on the time and location of the performance. Daisha, the dance of snake, is a story of Mikoto who saved Hime who is the only left daughter to her old parents. A snake with eight heads, eight tales and eight valley long body, has eaten Hime's eight sisters one every year and Hime may be endangered from the same threat. But Mikoto turned Hime into a comb and prepared eight jars of whiskey for the snake. When the snake was drunk and fell asleep, Makoto killed the snake and later married to Hime as it was arranged.

Added on: Jul 21, 2002 | Hits: 9149

IT ISN'T MUSIC AND IT HAS NO RHYTHM. Amplified by the dear mountain air, the cacophony of sound is deafening. Conversation becomes impossible and all attention turns to the temple entrance, whence a procession of solemn faced monks is emerging. Dressed in orange silk robes, and with yellow crescent shaped hats perched precariously on their heads, they carry an assortment of instruments including bugles made from human bones, giant conch shells and long, brass horns. These horns, known locally as dun chen, issue the deep, hoarse notes that herald the unforgettable Mani Rimdu Festival. Every year, in the Khumbu region of Nepal, this Buddhist Dance Drama is enacted by the monks of Tengboche Monastery. The site of this high altitude entertainment is the temple, or gompa, within the monastery itself.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 9188

by Joseph Houseal (Dancers in the Cham Ceremony ) Tibetan Buddhism, as it is commonly known in the West, is in strange times. It is disemboweled in Tibet, diluted in Sikkim, in exile in India, under wraps in Bhutan, trendy in America, and existing with some freedom and authenticity especially in Ladakh, a semi-autonomous region of Himalayan India. Perhaps its greatest threat today is unbridled western commercialism, the most pervasive force for the destruction of cultures in Asia.

Added on: Jun 17, 2002 | Hits: 9213

The traditional dances of Sri Lanka have their origin in rites and rituals associated with folk beliefs. There are three distinct dance forms known as Kandyan dancing in the highlands, low country dancing in the coastal region and Sabaragamuwa dancing in the Province of Sabaragamuwa.

Added on: Nov 17, 2002 | Hits: 9215

This performance is based on the myths, historical biographies and follk stories in the Tibet area. Tibetan performance art and drama use masks. Because they believe that mask with its clear expressions of good and evil helps spectators to understand the charactors of the roles of the actors and actors to communicate the message at ease. They use musical instruments like drum and cymbals and the music for drama is simple but religous.

Added on: Jul 20, 2002 | Hits: 9371

from Korea Maskdance festival

Added on: Jul 21, 2002 | Hits: 9384