Why are masks and headdresses used in carnivals?

i am doing an art exam at school and for homework i need to research how and why masks and headdresses are used in carnivals in general. not for just one carnival. if you know anything just type please. i kinda left this till last minute. its got to be in by tomorrow. thanks xWhy are masks and headdresses used in carnivals?
Masks and headdresses allow us to be something other than what we really are. Like any costume, they conceal our try identity so that we can act as we please, at least for a short time. Elaborate masks and headdresses amp up the celebration and add to the festiveness.





Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. During Lent, you behave yourself, sacrifice and contemplate the life of Christ, your own life and how you could be a better person. (That's the short version.)





During Carnival, which begins on 12th night and lasts through Mardi Gras, you have an opportunity to work out your demons, your ya-yas, your mischief, you desires, etc. It is perhaps easier to do some of those things while ';masked'; as something or someone different.





Then, by midnight on Mardi Gras, you've worked out all your wicked, evil ways and can settle down to the business of being a good Christian.





Carnival is celebrated in the U.S. in New Orleans with some smaller celebrations taking place in a few other cities. Rio de Janeiro has a very famous Carnival season. There are smaller celebrations elsewhere, but Rio is the most noted.Why are masks and headdresses used in carnivals?
All carnivals have mostly the same purpose, to chase away something - winter, bad ghosts or anything. So wearing masks and headdresses points out people's will to chase -whatever there is- away. At carnival time ppl used to look scary and the best way to do so was to wear a mask. Now when tradition remains but its details change, scary is no longer 'a must' but the custom still exists.


Good luck with the paper!!!