Ceremonial Masquerades [Gallery]

In Africa and some parts of North America, spiritual or political ceremonies are common, and often include costumes, masks, dancing and masquerade. It is said that often the wearer of a mask enters a spiritual realm and is completely transformed, perhaps behaving differently, moving differently or speaking differently. Some masquerades are purely for entertainment or performed to highlight the cultural identity of a community or nation. Others can be religious, socially or politically charged and very symbolic and important to the people involved.

Here is a small gallery of particularly interesting images of masks and costumes and their underlying symbolism.

Benin
This masquerade appears at a yearly festival that honours women.
It is known as 'You Can't Buy Wisdom at the Market', making a religious and political point that enlightenment is never for sale.

Nigeria
 In Roman religion and mythology, 'Janus' is the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions, and uses both of his faces to look to the future and the past.
Janus masks like this one often appear at funerals and ceremonies honouring Nigerian kings and chiefs, amongst other rituals.
The feathers are said to be a symbol of power.

Haiti
 This masked youth wields the tools of modern revolution; a gun and a phone.
 He is wrapped in a rope symbolising the suffering of slaves.

Sierra Leone
On festival days, people parade in the streets led by an ancestral 'devil'.
This water buffalo spirit is the figurehead for a men's social group.

Haiti
 Three young boys become 'Pa Wowo' - painted peasants who personify poverty.

All images are credited to Phyllis Galembo, a photographer and fine arts professor. Galembo has travelled all over Africa and the African diaspora and captured over 100 different images masks of which she has published in her book 'Maske' which is available to buy: Maske by Phyllis Galembo

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Surfing Snails

Janthina Exigua or 'Bubble Rafting Snail'

This unusual specimen of marine life is part of a family called Janthinidae. Unlike most conventional snails who use their mucus to lubricate their path for easier movement, the Bubble Rafting Snail uses it to form a raft, enabling it to float at the top of the ocean.

The creature folds its foot (the foot being the underside of the snail) around a pocket of air, and then attaches the newly formed bubble to the others to extend the raft. The raft enables it to buoy itself at the surface of the water and then be transported by the current. Some can apparently generate around one mucus bubble per minute.

The Bubble Rafters also lack gravity sensing organs, so perhaps it is for the best that they have developed this mechanism. Adaptation at its best.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Spring Equinox

Diagram of the Sun's rays during the Equinoxes

An Equinox is a period of time where the centre of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator. This happens twice a year, providing a Spring and Autumn Equinox. During an equinox the day and night times are almost exactly equal, both being 12 hours long.

In Latin, it is 'Aequi' and 'Noct', literally translated meaning 'Equal Night'

It is a natural event, and so has been existent for most of time, although there is little information to say when it was first celebrated. History can however tell us that certain ancient civilisations created festivals linked to the position of the Sun, for example the Inca's, the Mayan's and the Egyptians. Some of these civilisations even built monuments which have links to astronomical events such as the Equinoxes.

For example:

The Great Sphinx of Giza faces east, aligned with the sunrise of the Equinox
(constructed over 4,500 years ago)

The Mayan Temple of the Sun have alignments that coincide with the
Sun's position on the Spring Equinox

Stonehenge also marks the position of the rising Sun on the Spring Equinox
(approximately 3,000 years old)

At this time of year, as the days are longer and the Sun is more prominent, plant life grows quicker and more efficiently. This provides a richer food source for animals, who take it as a chance to stock up and gain energy. Perfect conditions for breeding and creating new life...

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Bioluminescence

Bioluminescence caused by Phytoplankton.
Stunning.

The microscopic life-forms have a cell membrane that responds to electrical signals and creates a luminous blue glow, which lights up the ocean. Although this image shows them along the shore, pools of them can be found further into the sea creating a beautiful circle of light.

Truly Magnificent Nature.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER