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Crafts from Ethiopia Christianity
has flourished in Ethiopia since the 4th century, and the Christian artisans of
Ethiopia have contributed much to the country's culture. One thing crafters have long been
known for is a special elaborate silver cross, called a maskal.
Many Ethiopians wear simple versions of this cross as
necklaces, and more elaborate ones are carried in church services. You can cut one out of
aluminum foil or silver foil wrapping paper.
Materials needed:
Construction paper
Heavy duty aluminum foil (or silver foil wrapping paper)
Scrap paper
Cut eight inch squares of scrap paper and aluminum foil.
Place a piece of foil on top of the scrap paper, and fold the pieces into quarters, with
the foil on the outside. (The scrap paper keeps the foil from sticking together when it is
being unfolded. If you use silver foil wrapping paper, you will not need the scrap paper
layer.) Cut a basic cross shape, then cut geometric shapes from the middle, as you would
when cutting out snowflakes. Carefully unfold the cross, discard the scrap paper and glue
the silver foil cross onto a dark-colored piece of construction paper. Now you have a
maskal!
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