The Ornamentation

Very often additional materials were added to wooden masks. Their main purpose was to increase the power of the mask. Glass beads, cowrie shells, sheets of metal ( Tikar, Marka, Basalampasu ), nails, feathers, raffia( Chokwe, Chokwe 2 ) animal fur or human hair, strips of antelope or monkey skin, crocodile teeth and European coins and mirrors are used –among other materials - for masks’ decoration and to enhance its specific role.

Mirrors, for example, are believed to have a special meaning. They reflect sun and therefore have the power to oppose an evil spirit.

Use of glass or shells has a similar purpose. In the past cowry shells were also treated as money and since then they have been widely used as decoration on an initiate’s mask to show that the spirits blessed him with wealth. In many beliefs they represent fertility by the resemblance to the female exterior genitalia.

When in danger, a mask with feathers suggests that the wearer can defend himself and fight successfully.