Homecoming is traditionally celebrated with over-the-top outfits, polished hairstyles and carefully posed photos. But one element about this year’s dance renders it particularly memorable: the masks. Read on to learn more about the essence of the masquerade mask.
Beloved film favorites “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Cinderella Story” highlight the masquerade mask’s attention-grabbing audacity and ability to spice up blasé, stale party ensembles. Yet, as prevalent as the masquerade motif may be in modern pop culture, the concept itself is rarely recognized for its rich history. Considering the mask’s thriving presence in romance genres, it’s a wonder as to why its origins are so often disregarded.
The abstraction of the masquerade originated in late 15th century Italy as a popular theme for weddings, balls and coronations. The pageantry and elitism found in the earliest masquerades gave birth to the mask tradition—a crusade against the Middle Ages’ emphasis on religious morality. Accustomed to the strictest rules of etiquette, high society revelled in the tantalizing anonymity offered by the masks and enjoyed a new freedom in exploring the taboo realms of scandal and vice that resulted from Renaissance secularism.
In a world where social media invariably puts people’s lives up for display, it’s almost refreshing to remember that there was a point in history where privacy was so coveted. Though seemingly counterintuitive to our modern values, the masquerade mask was a useful way of keeping identities and secrets away from prying eyes. If the publicity became exhausting, party-goers could simply don their masks and disappear swiftly into the crowd.
As the age of masquerade balls arrived in the 16th century, the tradition began to resemble the one we know today, brimming with dancing, gossip and drama. By this time, masks were being made with velvet or clay and decorated with feathers and colored beads. This development eventually led to the first semi-public masquerade ball, eventually sparking a trend in London. As the tradition spread, so too did the popularity of the masquerade.
The masquerade mask also signifies a significant part of African culture. According to the 1997 Festival of American Folklife Program Book, masks were generally worn by men to symbolize strength and valor—qualities then thought to be exclusive to men—during the Nigerian Ofrima Masquerade. Men, who were often determined to stress their masculinity, would chastise local troublemakers, send positive messages during nerve-wracking events and mourn the dead. While wearing the masks, they were considered sacred; and the select few with the authority to wear masquerade masks were granted the highest levels of prestige. Just as the first masquerades granted people anonymity, masks in Africa granted respect to those who wore them.
Contrary to popular belief, history tends to be the unpaved road to truth—and the masquerade is no exception. By only recognizing it as a party theme, we soil the nuance of the “masquerade.” It is important to appreciate the masquerade’s roots and implications and to truly value this underappreciated tradition. So before getting dressed and heading to Homecoming, take a moment to unmask the truth behind the masquerade.