Agriculture Engineering

The masks of the Marka (a Mande subgroup are) from the landlocked Mali, West Africa. Long ago, as Marka masks were extremely powerful and has the ability to chase away evil spirits, deliver messages from the spiritual world and cure of diseases. The Marka would ceremonies dedicated to fishing and agriculture, and stylized masks were danced to invoke the spirits to give the community with abundant agricultural yields and a successful fishing season.

The masks of the Marka are narrow and strict, with a pointed chin. They are brightly painted or coated with metal ornaments increased, reaching a beautiful decorative effect that is different and is very characteristic of other species of African masks. The men of the Marka, to represent this colorful linen suits, pairs win the man’s wife. The difference is very characteristic of the style Bambara cover sheet with three metal rods on the forehead and red cotton at the end of each was attached. The company used that mask Marka two rituals, the ceremony of circumcision teenager, and when the circumcised men advance from one grade to another. Along the Niger River, the Marka masks used in ceremonies related to fishing and agriculture.

This ethnic group is independent of the Bambara tribe, but their styles show a strong influence Bambara. They live in the area stretching from north of the Senegal border Bambara. They live mainly on agriculture with livestock subsidiary in the northern part of their territory. The dry savannah allow no more than a subsistence economy, and the ground product, with some difficulty, millet, rice and beans.

Fertility, has played an important role in African agriculture ceremonies. They had help on the idea that by raising the right rituals, the man could in case vital forces of a mask in obtaining the blessing of his ancestors with fertility and thus protection and security based primary. The festivals celebrated African agriculture have in various stages of the growing season made. The harvest cycle has begun clearing land and planting, harvest fruit, harvest, and finally, filling grocery stores. The concept of these festivals was the holiness of the land that belonged to the ancestors or “masters of the country. A good harvest is dependent on Thanksgiving ancestors or sometimes even the good will of the goddess of the earth.