Masks on the Continent of Africa

Historians note people have been wearing masks since the early days of mankind’s origins. Some wore them as a disguise; others wore them as a means of identification. In some cultures, funerary masks were worn to honor the dead. Things really have not changed that much. Today, Americans wear masks for a variety of reasons. Masks are found in the theater, on Halloween, and showcased in special events like Mardi Gras. However, when one hears the word ‘mask’ today, it is immediately recognized as the facial covering worn to ward off diseases like Covid-19. That’s understandable when living during a global pandemic. What one might not know, is that there are a variety of African cultures that wear masks as a part of their daily routine, and they have been for centuries.

In Libya, the nomadic Tuareg tribe wear head coverings as well as a veil to cover their faces. The facial coverings protect this people group from the sun and sand. But when men wear the turban and veil, they do so to model respect and dignity. When a boy wears a veil, the tribe understands that he is transitioning into adulthood. Interestingly enough, only the Tuareg men wear masks. This culture believes that masks protect the men from spirits of the dead as they travel over desolate deserts. These masks are often times dyed with indigo. While wearing these veils, the indigo bleeds on to the skin, leaving a bluish tint. The Tuaregs have earned the nickname, “the blue people” of the desert.

In Morocco, the Berber Tribes wear headdresses and veils. These items are known as the “litham.” The litham is simply a strip of cloth wound round about the head and face, leaving a gap for only the eyes. The Berbers believed that during times of war, the litham concealed their identities.

The Bedouins of Egypt don facial coverings as well. They call the cloth covering a “Kufiya.” According to the free dictionary, the Kufiyah is a square of cloth, often embroidered, traditionally worn as a headdress by Arab men, either by winding it around the head or by folding it into a triangle, draping it over the head and securing it with an agal. It is well known in the Middle Eastern world, that the Kufiyah is a symbol of resistance and solidarity in Arab Countries, particularly in Palestine.

In the nation of Chad, only the men of the Tubu Tribe veil themselves. The men also bear the responsibility of sewing for their families. The Tubu men primarily serve as shepherds, watching over sheep and goats or breeding camels. Once again, the primary purpose of this face covering is to protect from the sun and dust.

In Morocco and Somalia, many Muslim women cover their faces with a veil. This facial covering is called a niqab. This veil covers all of the face except for the eyes. In most cases, Islamic nations give women the option of the burqa or the niqab. Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab do so when the are in public, expecting to encounter non-related men. It's interesting to note that some Countries have banned these masks, citing security concerns.

Here in America, some health experts expect people to wear masks for the foreseeable future. Donning a mask before shopping or eating in restaurants has become the norm, some might even say it has become a habit. Whether or not masks will become a cultural norm in the United States is yet to be seen. But one can say with certainty that mask wearing in Africa will continue on for generations to come.