The Material

African masks are mainly made of wood, preferably a soft one, as this does not require the use of modern tools. The craftsman tries to avoid seasoned wood as the green wood is much easier to carve. To prevent the sculpture from splitting while drying it is often smeared with some sesame or palm oil.

Among other materials bark, resin, leaves or varnished antelope skin attached to wood are used by different tribes (e.g. the Ekoi people of Nigeria). Animal skin is used as a substitute for previously used human skin.

In South Africa, the people of Southern Sotho create and use original masks made of grass and very often decorated with beads or tufts of wool.

The Chokwe people of Zaire use branches, resin and fibres for their “Cikunza” masks, which are used in initiation ceremonies.

The“Ma’bu” wooden mask, made by Nkambe people of Cameroon, worn on the head, has a large cape of bird’s feathers attached to a black fabric covering the face of performer.

Wood inlaid with stripes of different metal was also a popular material of African art expression (the Tikar people of Cameroon or the Marka people of Mali).

Quite unusual masks of bamboo and raffia basketwork are made by the Songye tribe from DRC.

The Fang people of Gabon have small metal masks called "passport masks", which they attach to their arms when travelling.

The Ashante people of Ghana used to make small golden masks to commemorate the spirits of kings and chiefs killed in war.

Small (4-5") ivory "ikoko" masks carved by the Bapende people of DRC were used as an amulet and given to the sick to cure them. Sometimes worn hanging from the waist under clothing the little amulet masks were supposed to protect the wearer against evil spirits.