African masks in the collection of the Ethnographic Museum of Kazan University: educational and educational potential of the collection

Abstract

The Ethnographic Museum of Kazan University is one of the oldest humanitarian museums in Russia. The museum was founded by the Cabinet of Curiosities of Kazan Imperial University in 1815. The museum's collection provides a vivid and complete picture of the traditional aspect of the life of the peoples of the Russian Empire, the states of the Far and Middle East, Africa, Australia and Oceania, North and South America. In the Ethnographic Museum you can see objects of the XVII-XIX centuries: unique in terms of manufacturing technique, decoration and obsolete from modern use. Of particular value is the collection of African ritual masks, which includes more than 50 exhibits from West, Central and East African countries. The article is devoted to the analysis of the collection of traditional masks of the peoples of Africa, stored in the Ethnographic Museum of Kazan University. The characteristic features, symbolism and functions of masks in a ritualistic context are considered. The main focus is on the educational and educational potential of this meeting. The article substantiates the value of ethnographic artifacts for the formation of students' knowledge about the history, culture and spiritual heritage of African ethnic groups. Recommendations are given on the integration of the collection's materials into the curricula of humanities disciplines.