Animal fur was used to represent hair on the Booger masks.
Cherokee masks, known as Booger masks, were worn during the Booger dance. The word "Booger" was used in the same way as the word "Bogey" -- meaning a ghost or frightening creature. During the Booger dance, the men wearing the masks would often wear European clothes, to represented the white man, who were invading the Cherokee's homelands. The Booger masks were also used to represent rival Native American tribes. The masks were traditionally carved out of wood and painted in bright colors, but you can make your own Booger mask using papier mache.
Instructions
1. Blow up a round balloon and set aside.
2. Mix a papier mache paste using either half and half white glue and water, or 1 part flour to 1 part water, mixed to form a smooth paste. Tear newspaper into strips.
3. Cover each strip of newspaper in the paste, and apply to the balloon. You will only need to cover one half of the balloon to create a basic mask to work with. Remember to leave holes for the eyes, so you can see out when wearing the mask. Allow the papier mache to dry and then remove the balloon.
4. Create a nose, eyebrows and lips by adding more papier mache to the mask. Remember, these masks were often frightening and used to mock the person or people that the mask was being used to depict. Therefore, don't model the mask on your own face too much, exaggerate the features to create an extreme, imposing face. Allow to dry.
5. Paint the mask in colors of your choice. Allow to dry.
6. Decorate the mask by using faux fur, available from craft shops. Glue the faux fur in place to represent hair, eyebrows, and facial hair. You can use further decoration if you wish. For example, use feathers to create an elaborate crest at the top of the mask, instead of hair.
7. Place a hole in either side of the mask using a pin or similar sharp object. If a child is making the mask, you may want to do this step for him. Tie a piece of elastic to each hole, to secure the mask in place and so that it is easy to take on and off.
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