Tona Masks

                  

                                        

With this unit, we certainly saved the best for last.  To start off, we examined the oldest mask found and claimed to be 9000 years old below.

                           

Then, we compared it to masks of Pre-Colombian Mexico.   We learned that people wear masks in many cultures around the world for similar reasons, such as during religious ceremonies to honor gods/deities, who in return would bring rain, fertile crops, and successful harvests, good health and well being.   Additionally, masks were worn during dances and theatrical performances to bring the community together.  We discussed how according to a Pre-Colombian legend, it was believed that each person has an animal companion/guardian that they share a common destiny with which they referred to as a Tona.  Some popular animals that were chosen in Mexico for a person's Tona were jaguars, ocelots, birds, bats, snakes, and alligators.  To create Tona masks artists would often combine human and animal features. 

Map of Pre-Colombian Mexico

                                 

 Examples of Masks from Mexico

                                  

                          

Before students could dive into their own masks, they carefully brainstormed different animals they could relate to based on personality traits.  We had owls for the students who liked to stay up late, monkeys to symbolize a playful fun spirit, and elephants to express creative and sensitive sides.   After this self-reflection was given as a homework assignment, a student shared a wonderful website has you answer a few multiple choice questions to help  pair you with an animal based on personality traits such as size, gregariousness, attractiveness, dependability, intelligence, athletic ability, life successes, and love of travel.  I will certainty use this for next year!

Click on the link to take the quiz, I got a bear (very spot on)         Animal Like You Test

Once students decided upon their Tona (animal), they started to build an armature (skeletal framework of their mask) with newspaper and masking tape.  It was proven that cheap masking tape does not do the job as well as the expensive kind like Scotch! We made a ball first and then added on our parts which focused heavily on correctly joining by thoroughly adding and pressing down tape.

                                      

                                      

                                      


After the armature was complete, we used Plaster wrap/roll (similar to paper mache) to act as the skin by applying at least two layers on top of the newspaper.   Next, we got to the fun part, painting! Some students went for more realistic colors of their animals and others chose to stylize adding in human features  keeping up with traditional Tonas by adding in more humanistic eyes or fun bright patterns.

Before Plaster Craft Wrap

               

Lastly, I helped cut holes in the back of each mask and then students were able to pull all the newspaper out (came out in a ball) so their mask was hollow and they could actually wear it. 

Student Examples

Zeebra

Lion

Bunny

Siamese Cat

Fox

Black Bear

Horse

Unicorn

Giraffe

Owl

Penguin

Leopard

Monkey

Elephant

Brown Bear

Dragon

Gazelle

Owl

Panda

Wolf

**Note For Next Time: It was very time consuming cutting holes in the back of each mask, and after doing so the paint would chip and require touching up.  Next year, I will try either having two students work on a balloon together and then cut in half and students get a half, or using a cardboard oval/circle instead of the newspaper ball and attaching pieces to that (downside is you can not actually fit your head in it).