How can wearing a ceremonial mask change a performer’s behavior and sense of identity?

When a performer dons a ceremonial mask, they undergo a profound transformation in both behavior and identity. By wearing the mask and its associated costume, the performer effectively obscures their previous identity to assume a new one, often becoming a vessel for the spirit character the mask represents.12

This process can manifest in several ways:

• Psychic and Psychological Change: The wearer may experience a psychic shift, sometimes entering a trance-like state where they fully embody the spirit character. In many instances, the performer’s own will becomes subservient to the personage of the mask, leading them to act as an automaton or a partner to the character.1
• Vitality and Movement: The mask is not merely a static object; it requires the performer’s dance, posturing, and movements to achieve a full life-force. By bringing the mask to life through their own physical actions and the light in their eyes, the performer bridges the gap between the human and the supernatural.1
• Ritual Significance: This change in identity is vital for the efficacy of the ritual. If the performer does not successfully manifest the spirit within the mask, the associated petitions and offerings are considered meaningless.2

Ultimately, the performer acts as a collaborator with the mask, creating a powerful, transient reality that connects the present to the past.13