Haunted Bathroom and the Masquerades

Haunted locations are often regarded to contain the spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the locale when they departed. That said, the scary bathroom may not be haunted, however there are lurking spirits masquerading in the overhanging masks high above the faucets and facilities. Is the scary bathroom haunted and are the masks responsible? What makes this place scary and who or what is to blame for the mysterious happenings here? There is a connection, however the secret remains hidden.

There is an enormous variety of masks in the scary bathroom, mostly from Africa, but others from Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia and Ghana. They may have been used in masquerades that form part of religious ceremonies enacted to communicate with spirits and ancestors. They may have been used as spiritual and or social symbols by their creators. What they are trying to communicate is subjective, but they look scary and foreboding to some. Others may think they are sleeping, waiting for a small child to drift into their grasp unexpectedly. These masks are colorful and ornate, but somewhat frightening to wee young ones. The masks are carved with extraordinary skill and variety by artists who have received their training as an apprentice to a master carver. Frequently it is a tradition that has been passed down within a family through many generations.

Some African tribes believe that the animal masks can help them communicate with the spirits who live in forests or open savannas. People of Burkina Faso use their masks to call to the spirits to stop evil. The Mali have a complex religion that also create and make use of animal masks. Their beliefs are in found in three main cults: the cult of the dead, the cult of communication with spirits, and the cult of earth and nature. Most of their ceremonies are secret, although the antelope dance is shown to non-believers. Masks may also indicate a culture’s ideal of feminine beauty. The masks of Gabon have highly arched eyebrows, almost almond-shaped eyes and a narrow chin. The raised stripes running from both sides of the nose to the ears represent jewelry. Many cultures have masks, and the scary bathroom has many represented that are similar to the ones discussed above. But are there spirits lurking high above? What do the scary bathroom masks represent? Do the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you go in there? Is it haunted or a figment of your imagination? Will you venture in to see the scary bathroom? Will you bring your wee young ones in to visit the facility?