What are masks ?

• The culture of masks
  presumably started from
  the primitive age

• Development keyboard_double_arrow_right keyboard_double_arrow_down

• A camouflage to
  approach animals
  while hunting

• Transition keyboard_double_arrow_right keyboard_double_arrow_down

• A gradual transition
  from magical purposes to
  religious ceremonies
  and rituals

The mask is a universal culture of mankind and a cultural resource that reveal the characteristics of each nation. Various forms and functions of the masks exist in each culture.

Masks are widely identified not only in Korea, but also all around the world. Regardless of cultural regions, masks have been passed down in forms of faith symbolizing abundance and fertility, or in artistic forms of dance, theater, or sculpture from primitive times to the present day. Masks are not only a great formative art, but also a precious cultural resource and cultural heritage expressing the many emotions of mankind. Masks have been widely used not only for the prevention of exposing one’s identity, but also for magical or artistic acts with rich meaning in the face engraved on the mask. Masks are also still in use among the existing primitive peoples. The Eskimo of the Arctic, and inhabitants of the African continent, and various islands of Oceania still use masks for magical functions. Masks are used at folklore events in Europe, while they are used in masquerades for the gods in Asia.

Masks & ICH

The mask is a universal culture of mankind and a cultural art found around the world. It exists in every corner of the world, with unique forms and functions in each area. Mask dance or masquerade is a comprehensive art that uses masks to sing, dance and play. Although it varies by region and culture, it was widely enjoyed from the highest royal court to the common populace. Mask dance is a excellent mediator of cultural identify because it expresses values related to faith, creativity, and life shared by a group through a symbolic mask and bodily gestures. Therefore, masks and mask dance are the ideal medium to express the value of UNESCO’s cultural diversity. Especially, the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama is a traditional culture that has been handed down for generations over 800 years by direct participation and performance by the members of Hahoe village community. The Hahoe Mask Dance Drama, along with Hahoe mask, have become a representative icon of Korea as the drama not only prays for the good and abundance of the village, but also exposes the fictitious character of the ruling class, criticizes the corruption in Buddhism by depicting the monk who violated the Buddhist commandments, and expresses the life and affection of the commoners satirically. Despite the status as an intangible cultural heritage, many mask cultures, including the Hahoe Mask Dance Drama, are gradually losing the interest of the younger generations.

As the international community recognized the importance of and the lack of interest in intangible cultural heritage, in 2003, the UNESCO General Assembly adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage to preserve intangible cultural heritage. Being listed in the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity can increase employment opportunities and income including financial and technical support, improve exposure of the subjected heritage, and inspire the pride of the relevant community, thus greatly contributing to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. For the preservation and promotion of mask culture around the world in danger of disappearing, we must preserve the fading mask culture, the universal culture of mankind, and also contribute to the ‘value of cultural diversity.’