Traditional African masks

Ritual and ceremonial mask of Sub-Saharan Africa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about African tribal masks?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

Traditional African masks play an important role in ceremonies, rituals, and masquerades across West, Central, and Southern Africa. Ceremonies in which masks are worn include harvest celebrations, funerals, rites of passage, weddings, and coronations. In some societies, masks and masquerades are also used to settle disputes and communal conflicts.

African_countries_where_masks_are_used.jpg
African countries where masks are used traditionally
Photograph of a wooden mask worn by women in the Sande society. The mask has an elaborate hairstyle, large forehead, small eyes, and neck rolls. The mask is painted black.
Sande society sowei mask, 20th century
Mask with round face, small eyes and mouth, and horns.
Baoule Kple Kple Mask

For example, members of the masquerade cult and Uma-Ada fraternity facilitate social justice and reconciliation processes among Igbo communities in Eastern Nigeria through masquerade performances.[citation needed] Mende and Vai women of the Sande society in Sierra Leone don the Sowei mask during rites of passage, specifically initiation ceremonies for young girls.[1] The Plank Mask (Nwantantay) among the Bobo, Bwa, and Mossi people of Burkina Faso makes an appearance during public events such as funerals and agricultural festivals.[2]