Dorset Ooser mask

(Minh Khôi Meijerink, ELC, TA2B)

Dorset Ooser mask (Minh Khôi Meijerink, ELC, TA2B)

I will make a mask from paper mache. I got my inspiration from the information that I found about
the Dorset Ooser mask from the UK.

Picture 1.

The first picture shows the materials that are used. For this I need newspapers, flour and water. I use
a mask mold to create my mask from paper mache. Vegetable oil is used as release agent. Finally the
mask is painted. Other attributes are placed as well for its symbolizations.

Pictures 2 – 4.
The pictures 2 – 4 show how to make liquid mixture for the paper mache. First the flour is seeved.
This gives a fine powder. Next two small bowls of water (small pink bowl) and one small bowl of
seeved flour are added to the small white bucket. These are mixed with a whisk until all is
homogeneous.

Pictures 5 – 8.

The pictures 5 – 8 show how to make the mask on the mask mold. First cut the newspaper into strips
of about 2.5 cm wide. Next apply vegetable oil on the mask mold with a brush. The newspaper strips
are then immersed in the prepared liquid mixture. During taking out the newspaper strips, the excess
liquid mixture is removed by sliding the strip between two fingers. These strips are laid on the mask
mold such that the pattern is followed. After the mask is finished, let it dry for 24 hours.

Pictures 9 – 11.

Next the dried mask is removed from the mold carefully with the end of a spoon. Just try to place the
spoon end all around between the dried paper mask and the mold and try gently to get it loose. Now
it’s time to decorate the mask and its horns with paint with its symbolizations.
Picture 12.

Finally all last items (like goatee, sideburn, horns etc) are attached to the mask by superglue.

I used the mask as shown in next Pictures.

1. What will is the purpose of your mask? (Check out pp; sheet 3)
2. Explain your purpose. (e.g. If it is used to ‘hide’ then explain why
hiding is necessary and what you hope to accomplish by hiding)
+/- 100 words.
3. Where did you get your inspiration from? Please post a picture
and explain.
4. What features of the face will be exaggerated and why? +/-
100 words
The Dorset Ooser mask has a history of more
than a thousand years ago. Nowadays it is
used for May day celebrations by dancers. So
the purpose of the mask is for celebrations,
part of rituals.
The meaning of the Ooser mask has changed
in time. At first it is thought that fertility
rituals were performed on local couples who
wanted to get children. The priests did wear
the masks to represent pagan gods. In the
17th century, the mask was used for the
“Skimmington Riding”. This was a parade of
the locals through the streets of the towns
demonstrating against immoral acts, like
adultery and witchcraft. The perpetrators
would be forced to walk in the parade. Of
course they would be made ridiculous and
being taught a good old lesson. In the 19th
century the Ooser mask had become the
“Christmas Bull”. This was a terrifying
creature going through the streets at the end
of the year demanding food and drink from
the people. The mask was also used for
frightening children and taunting unfaithful
husbands. So in time the purpose of the mask
was for frightening and making people
ridiculous, which is my purpose as well.
I got my inspiration from the last remaining
Dorset Ooser mask and all the history of the
mask that I wrote. Nowadays there is only a
replica left in the Dorset County Museum.
Most exaggerated are the white teeth of the
mask. The reason is for making people
ridiculous. Like the literal translation from a
Dutch expression “Laughing like a farmer with
a toothache”, meaning A phony laugh. Such
big white teeth are also frightening in such a
dark face. The white goatee and sideburns
have the same function. The eyebrows are
made very big and very dark. This should also
have a frightening effect. For the rest the face
has a dark colour and horns. All for
frightening effect. As a total the face is

5. What emotions will you try to convey? (=show) E.g.
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_emotions
6. What materials will you be using?
7. What elements should I add to symbolise and communicate the
purpose and role of your character? (E.g. Think about the meaning
of colour; shapes, symbols that you might use.)
frightening but can also be used to make
someone ridiculous.
I try to show horror to frighten and disgust for
immoral acts to make someone feel ashame
for his actions.
Mainly I will use paper mache. That is made
from newspaper, water and flour. Beside that
paint as well.
In my opinion the mask itself is clear enough
showing horror and/or making someone feel
ashame. When really using in a parade the
character should be dressed in rags.