March 22, 2010
Senior Capstone Review Panel
East High School
3206 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
Dear Review Panel Members:
As graduating senior of East High School, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself and the things that have made me who I am today. I was born on July 31, 1992 in Bethesda, Maryland. I became the son of a Navy nurse from Memphis, TN and an Army soldier from Charlotte, NC. As a child growing up in Memphis, I was able to successfully make the right choices which has ultimately made me the person I am today. As an African American male, there are many things that I have managed to do and not become a part of. From a city where most people are motivated by the wrong things, inspired by the wrong people, or can be easily influenced to make the wrong decision, I have managed to become an African-American male who has never seen a correctional facility and a proud senior who averages a 3.6 unweighted gpa and is involved in many school and non-school related activities. I am a 17 year-old young man who is, and will stay, focused on getting what he deserves in life.
As an East High Mustang, I have participated in many in-school and extracurricular activities. I have been a tutor for the Greater East High Foundation, the school's tutoring program, since my sophomore year. Though I tutor my peers, academically, in mathematics and English, I also assist them in making the right choices in making sure they stay on the right path for success. I am also a member of many clubs and athletic teams such as: the captain of East High School's Varsity Swim Team, Varsity Tennis, the Sigma Beta Club, which has allowed me to experience true brotherhood, becoming a tutor of the Greater East High Foundation, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, TRiO. I am also an employee of Elvis Presley's Graceland as a Tour Operations Assistant. Though I am highly involved in my social life, I have still created time for me to complete my Capstone tasks.
Capstone Presentation Day is an important day not only for me, but for my classmates and teachers, as well. My Capstone topic is "The History of African Masks" and how it connects to the spiritual world. Although this Capstone has required much time to complete, I feel that there will be long-term benefits that I have gained from completing this task that will help me in college and beyond so. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to contribute to the success of my Capstone Presentation.
Sincerely,
Tevin S. McInnis
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Abstract
Throughout the history of these masks, the Africans have used the African masks as a way to connect to the spiritual world. When created, the masks are used to represent spirits of their ancestors or even animals. They are presented through ritual ceremonies, such as dances, prayers, agricultural festivals, rituals for increase (an increase of food, clothing, etc.), rituals of rites of passage, ancestor cults, initiations including secret societies, related ceremonies, and fertility rites, which is a strong traditional value to the Africans. During the ceremony, according to rebirth.co.za, "the wearers, which in most cases are the dancers, go into a stage where it is possible to communicate with their ancestors". As a result from going through this process, the wearer has now obtained the power of this spirit. Besides the spirits of their ancestors, the masks are said to, also, possess the spirits representing humans or animals, good or evil, and "other beings believed to have power over humanity.
Another belief is that "the items used to form the masks must have a certain meaning to the creator, whether it is of culture or their own belief", which is a statement from the author of anymask.com. This, eventually, leads to the masks having different meanings and different reasons for being created. One important tool used to make the masks is trees. It is believed that trees are living objects with souls, which provide a life source to the masks carved from them. With the tree being cut and used to make the mask, a spirit is, then, bestowed in the mask. Although different materials are used by different sculptors, the most well known items are: leather, metal, fabric, and various types of wood. Yet, regardless of the items used, "the spirit will find its way into the materials and dwell in it, which would result in the mask having the power if the spirit" (another belief belonging to the author of anymask.com).
The history of African masks is of great significance and is one that has shaped the African heritage. The masks are made by traditional and cultural beliefs are used in performances to help educate and inspire those with, or without, knowledge of the history of their being. The masks of African traditional aspects are can be seen in many places such as, museums and libraries, and are purchased by different people, yet the value of these historic treasures remains priceless.
Another belief is that "the items used to form the masks must have a certain meaning to the creator, whether it is of culture or their own belief", which is a statement from the author of anymask.com. This, eventually, leads to the masks having different meanings and different reasons for being created. One important tool used to make the masks is trees. It is believed that trees are living objects with souls, which provide a life source to the masks carved from them. With the tree being cut and used to make the mask, a spirit is, then, bestowed in the mask. Although different materials are used by different sculptors, the most well known items are: leather, metal, fabric, and various types of wood. Yet, regardless of the items used, "the spirit will find its way into the materials and dwell in it, which would result in the mask having the power if the spirit" (another belief belonging to the author of anymask.com).
The history of African masks is of great significance and is one that has shaped the African heritage. The masks are made by traditional and cultural beliefs are used in performances to help educate and inspire those with, or without, knowledge of the history of their being. The masks of African traditional aspects are can be seen in many places such as, museums and libraries, and are purchased by different people, yet the value of these historic treasures remains priceless.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Annotated Bibliographies
http://www.anymask.com/historyofmask.html, "Reproduced with permission from the Encyclopedia Britannica at www.britannica.com (1998-2000)
-This website was the most informative. It provided me with information about the cultural beliefs of the creators of the masks. "The items used to form the masks must have a certain meaning to the creator, whether it is of culture or their own belief." It was said that if the creation was accepted by the spirit, then the mask was able to obtain the spirit's power.
www.arthistoryguide.com/African_masks.aspx
-This website provided me with information about how the masks were represented. "The use of the African masks were typically represented through a special song, prayer, or dance" Through these celebrations and rituals, the person wearing the mask was either chosen by someone
Blackman Visona et al, Monica. "A History of Art in Africa" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_art (2001)
http://www.mask-and-more-mask.com/african-masks-history.html
-Visona et al Blackman provided information about the sculpting of the masks. In order for the mask to have been complete, the artist must have shown "emphasis on the human figure, the visual abstraction, as well as, emphasis on the sculpture." After the creation, the mask will contain the person's personal traits and a spirit's power.
Mullen, Sharon L. "A West African Ceremonial Object" www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1985/6/85.06.06.x.html (1985)
-Sharon L. Mullen helped provide information about the personalities of the masks. "Although a wearer can be seen as an ordinary person, once he places his mask on, he can be known by many people as the "king of their society." The masks, also, provided a hierarchy for some African cultures.
http://rebirth.co.za/African_mask_history_and_meaning.htm
-This website provided me with information of the masks and how they were used to communicate with the dead. It was said that "the wearers, which in most cases are the dancers, goes into a stage where it is possible to communicate with their ancestors. As a result from going through this process, the wearer has now obtained the power of the spirit."
-This website was the most informative. It provided me with information about the cultural beliefs of the creators of the masks. "The items used to form the masks must have a certain meaning to the creator, whether it is of culture or their own belief." It was said that if the creation was accepted by the spirit, then the mask was able to obtain the spirit's power.
www.arthistoryguide.com/African_masks.aspx
-This website provided me with information about how the masks were represented. "The use of the African masks were typically represented through a special song, prayer, or dance" Through these celebrations and rituals, the person wearing the mask was either chosen by someone
Blackman Visona et al, Monica. "A History of Art in Africa" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_art (2001)
http://www.mask-and-more-mask.com/african-masks-history.html
-Visona et al Blackman provided information about the sculpting of the masks. In order for the mask to have been complete, the artist must have shown "emphasis on the human figure, the visual abstraction, as well as, emphasis on the sculpture." After the creation, the mask will contain the person's personal traits and a spirit's power.
Mullen, Sharon L. "A West African Ceremonial Object" www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1985/6/85.06.06.x.html (1985)
-Sharon L. Mullen helped provide information about the personalities of the masks. "Although a wearer can be seen as an ordinary person, once he places his mask on, he can be known by many people as the "king of their society." The masks, also, provided a hierarchy for some African cultures.
http://rebirth.co.za/African_mask_history_and_meaning.htm
-This website provided me with information of the masks and how they were used to communicate with the dead. It was said that "the wearers, which in most cases are the dancers, goes into a stage where it is possible to communicate with their ancestors. As a result from going through this process, the wearer has now obtained the power of the spirit."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Reflection
Tevin McInnis
Mr. Timothy Pruitt
English III Honors (MW2)
18 April 2010
"Sometimes in life, you have to do what you need to do in order for you to do what you want to do." In the case of me completing the Capstone Project, I have certainly learned the meaning of this quote. Though it was considered highly disliked and confusing, completing this project has taught me valuable skills that will assist me with near and future assignments. One of those valuable lessons learned was the skill of time management.
"What did you learn about time management?" One thing I learned about time management is that there is a time and a place for everything. "What were your challenges?" Completing this project while finishing other school assignments and being dedicated to other school and non-school related functions was definitely a challenging task to accomplish. Fortunately, the goals set out by myself and instructor were met. Fully understanding the directions of the Capstone, with much help from my English teacher Mr. Timothy Pruitt, made it much easier for this task to be accomplished.
A "life-long learning" I will take away from this Capstone Project journey is that much can be received through hard work and proper time usage. Though it required proper decision making skills, as well as the skill of efficient usage of time management, I have achieved success in completing this project. Capstone has influenced me, as a person, by allowing me to see what can be done with determination, time management, a positive attitude and work ethic.
Tevin S. McInnis
Mr. Timothy Pruitt
English III Honors (MW2)
18 April 2010
"Sometimes in life, you have to do what you need to do in order for you to do what you want to do." In the case of me completing the Capstone Project, I have certainly learned the meaning of this quote. Though it was considered highly disliked and confusing, completing this project has taught me valuable skills that will assist me with near and future assignments. One of those valuable lessons learned was the skill of time management.
"What did you learn about time management?" One thing I learned about time management is that there is a time and a place for everything. "What were your challenges?" Completing this project while finishing other school assignments and being dedicated to other school and non-school related functions was definitely a challenging task to accomplish. Fortunately, the goals set out by myself and instructor were met. Fully understanding the directions of the Capstone, with much help from my English teacher Mr. Timothy Pruitt, made it much easier for this task to be accomplished.
A "life-long learning" I will take away from this Capstone Project journey is that much can be received through hard work and proper time usage. Though it required proper decision making skills, as well as the skill of efficient usage of time management, I have achieved success in completing this project. Capstone has influenced me, as a person, by allowing me to see what can be done with determination, time management, a positive attitude and work ethic.
Tevin S. McInnis
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Additional Materials
Woyo Mask
Kota Mask
Dan Mask
Biombo MaskOther Examples of African Masks:
http://www.africanethnicart.com/museum/masks.aspx
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Africa/African%20Mask%20Group.htm
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