History of Masks
Masks can be found as art forms and for ceremonial use in cultures all over the world. Most primitive and tribal cultures have used masks since the beginning of civilization. In many ways, masks are the one universal art that is the tie between all cultures of humankind no matter how ancient or how recent.  Masks have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years of civilization beginning with the most primitive tribal masks and totems and evolving to the modern, colorful masks used for masquerade balls, Mardi Gras and parades. The majority of primitive tribal masks were traditionally made from wood but many were made from materials that were common to a particular region.  The design of masks were based on the culture, religious beliefs and the purpose of the mask. Some primitive or tribal cultures use masks to frighten away evil spirits or sickness or to prevent events such as floods, famine and drought. Many cultures use masks for funerals, spiritual ceremonies, theatre, dance or just for fun. Even in our modern day culture, masks are still used for Halloween, Mardi Gras parades, theatre and masquerade parties.

The masked dance is one of the oldest performing arts in Indonesia. Developed in the north of Java it had grown in popularity by the early sixteenth century.  Masks, effigies and fetishes are found in all parts of Indonesia and are often used in funeral processions or initiation and exorcism ceremonies in many areas such as Timor, Maluku and Batak lands, where these beliefs still persist.  Death masks may have been the original mask form or masks may have been developed to provide anonymity to a performer so they appeared more believable in their role of an ancestor, god or demon.  Court masks, although made of wood and painted with gouache were often gilded and sometimes studded with gems.  Many of these primitive tribal and ceremonial masks are still to be found in many areas of the Indonesian Archipelago including a great variety of dance masks, funeral ritual masks and ceremonial masks still in use today on the islands of Bali, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.