Seventeenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Masquerades in African are regarded as the reincarnated ancestral spirits who periodically intervening in the world by visiting the living in masquerade forms. They occupy a central position in the mythopoeic structure of the communities they exist. Masquerades can be understood from the perception of the initiate members, the community it exists and the general public. The understanding could also be perceived from different level such as social, spiritual and in principles in relation to enforcement or creating law for the people. The word “Entelecheia Aesthetics” is used as a means to define African masquerade aesthetics because “Entelecheia Aesthetics” referred to the power of art in terms of its essence to reach basic innate features of human consciousness and the inner interpretation. It is a means of evaluating aesthetic perception; giving a deeper interpretation or the actual purpose for which they are created and not the mere surface value. This paper interprets how African masquerade should be seen and accepted. Analytical research is used to identify the aesthetics inherent in the masquerade to qualify it as Entelecheia aesthetics. I have also used data from book and internet. The paper concludes that a definite qualification of the masquerade aesthetics will help to situate and properly define African masquerade and its unique aesthetics. It is recommended that the brilliant and colourful arts used in masquerade activities should be encourage and studies by expanding its beauty to contemporary use on garments and other related dais.