Mask lore is fascinating and tribal masks are
significant in many world cultural traditions, religious activities and ceremonial dances. Ceremonial
tribal masks are important in Native North American, Central American, South American, Pacific
Islander, Asian, African, Maori and other tribal groups. Here are several social studies activities on
mask-making and recycled trash mask crafts to help students explore the tradition masks.
Paper plate, paper bag or Styrofoam mask crafts are the easiest. Use mask-making lessons in
preschool through high school social studies activities. Mask crafts incorporate green, recycled trash
materials. It may seem odd that tribal masks of such significance could be made from recycled trash. But it's important to stress in social studies activities that most tribal masks are made
from just that--"found" materials, scraps and natural elements. The gorgeous collection of African tribal masks at the Detroit Institute of Arts are made from leaves, grass, mud, clay, pebbles, shells,
animal fur, skin and hair, human hair, seeds and nut hulls. It the artisan's ability to create beautiful mask
crafts from found objects that makes mask-making so fascinating.
The teacher's role in mask-making social studies activities is facilitator. She provides recycled trash,
art supplies and found objects for mask crafts. Students bring the creativity. For preschool mask making, adults might draw eye and mouth holes on mask crafts for kids to cut. Older students should
be left to explore different facial features, eye hole and mouth hole designs for their tribal masks.
They might decide to shape mouths and eyes like stars, squares or diamonds. They might make
animal head mask crafts (a common design in tribal masks). They create teeth, hair, skin, fur or scales.
Here are art supplies and recycle trash needed for mask-making social studies activities.
recycled paper or Styrofoam plates, large paper grocery bags, turned inside out to hide advertising print
hot glue guns, school glue or Glue Dots. Glue dots are extra tacky, easy to work with and reduce
mess by pricey. If glue dots are too expensive, school glue will work. Use up leftover school glue by
melting in microwave to remove from bottles.
recycled pot pie tins or egg cartons for glue and paint holders and mask-making details. You'll need Q-Tips cotton swabs, tape and staplers.
Mask decorations from recycled trash or found objects include --old jewelry
--craft feathers
--beads, glitter
--appliques
--faux gems
--animal feathers
--pebbles
--shells--assorted dried seeds, beans, popcorn and legumes (these make excellent teeth)
--assorted scraps of yarn, twist paper, twine, raffia, straw, reed, strips of paper or plastic, string, scrap
electrical cord, wire for hair (unravel recycled knitted garments for curly hair)
--fabric scraps
--tissue paper, wrapping paper, construction paper and magazine scraps
--gift ribbons and bows
--assorted recycled pom poms, tassels, buttons, ribbons,
--paint or markers (don't allow students to simply draw a design; encourage them to create a 3-D
mask with found objects)
--plastic mesh from orange bags (excellent for decorating)
--recycled trash container lids, milk rings, small lids, jar lids, cardboard scraps (nothing sharp and all
thoroughly washed)
--clay or play dough: mold into embellishments and decorations, allow to dry, glue in place, paint.
Provide pictures and examples of native tribal masks. Encourage students to choose a basic mask
theme (animal, facial expression), sketch it out and create pattern using a collage of materials.
