9 Oct 2026
Traditional Masks and Masquerades
CIOFF® International was pleased to take part in the #HeritageAlive call for articles on “Traditional Masks and Masquerades,” an initiative dedicated to sharing experiences and perspectives on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage related to masks and masquerades.
The call invited contributions addressing different aspects of this living heritage, including traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, performing arts, rituals and festive events, social practices, and the role of masks and masquerades in transmitting cultural identity and community memory.
Three CIOFF® National Sections responded to the call, bringing perspectives from different cultural contexts:
CIOFF® Colombia - “When the Mask Reveals and Does Not Veil”, by Santiago Rojas Lemus
CIOFF® Peru - “The Masks of Paucartambo: Memory, Identity, and Traditional Art of Cusco, Peru”, by Leilani Najul Yabar Garcia
CIOFF® Cameroon - “Costume de guerre de NJI MOTAPON fils du Roi KOUOTOU du royaume Bamoun : MONPOUTOU”, by Prince Isaac Legrand YAMEKUE POVETMI
Following the selection process, one of the three abstracts was selected for further development into a full article, while the other two contributions will be included in the #HeritageAlive blog.
These contributions offer diverse perspectives on traditional masks and masquerades, exploring their cultural meanings, craftsmanship, links to identity and memory, and their role in the transmission of living heritage across generations.
We will present the three contributions and their authors in greater detail soon, and the selected works will also be featured on the CIOFF® International website. Stay tuned for more stories from Colombia, Peru and Cameroon.