Candidates' performance was fair. Although, many candidates avoided the question.
Some candidates appeared not to have known much about the Melanesian art. Such candidates said Melanesian mask is an Egyptian Art. It is useful for Egyptians and Europeans, etc.
The required points are:
(a) Functions of Melanesian masks
- Melanesian masks are worn at festivals and ancestral ceremonies;
- they play prominent roles in initiation;
- they educate the youths to be fully socialized;
- they keep watch over the citizens (or give protection or security);
- the mask bearers punish law breakers or administer justice;
- masks are used to control crimes;
- mask bearers entertain the society;
- Masks are used to materialize super natural spirit being and to enhance respect and fear.
(b) Functions of Bark-cloth
- Bark-cloth is "used for clothing or as body covering;
- used as banner for writing and decoration;
- Designs are painted on bark-cloth banners used
for funerals and rituals;
- bark-cloth is used for making mats;
- it is used for making masks;
- princesses present bundles of bark-cloth as a dowry.
