Grade 5 ~ Yup'ik-Inspired Masks
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The Yup’ik are a tribe of people native to Western Alaska. While other Eskimo tribes were more serious, the Yup’ik were known for their fancy costumes, theater, and masks. The masks were used in many ways: for ceremonies which helped people understand their environment, from the animals around them to the weather; to tell stories for entertainment as well as knowledge; and to help people ask for things, just as we might do in a prayer.
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What do you need to include so that your mask is in the Yup’ik style? You must have an oval of some kind for the face. You must have a mouth and teeth are usually included, too. Your colors will be limited: Black, white, gray, reddish brown, a grayish-green, and grayish-blue.
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In addition, your face must illustrate a particular emotion.
You can make objects that will go around the face, that will tell more about that particular feeling, or about the person your mask represents.
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