Masks played a very important role in African culture from the 16th to the 20th century. They were used in many different types of ceremonies: religious, celebratory, or even funerary. They allow someone to become a character, dead or alive, or even represent something other-worldly. Every single detail put into the masks meant something to the culture to which they belonged, and depending on what culture and time the mask came from, it can vary from very abstract and geometric “faces” to masks that could almost be human. Most African masks were made of wood, because that was what was most readily available to them and is probably the most easily manipulated. What these African people managed to do with wood and animals is nothing short of amazing.
Ngil society mask, Fang people, Gabon, 1800/1900, From the collection of: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
This elongated mask is representative of the transition from the very plain heads of Early African art to the much more detailed art of the 1800's.
Hip Ornament with Human Face, Unknown, 18th century (possibly), From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
While this representation is not a mask, it is a much more realistic depiction of a human face, even if it was worn on the hip.
Male Face Mask, Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
The mask seen here could possibly have been a portayal of the British explorers who would have been invading around that time, as the skin appears to be very pale on the face.
Helmet Mask, Ejagham peoples, Nigeria, 19th century, From the collection of: Art Gallery of Ontario
The head that appears here seems to be a depiction of a specific person, because the sculptor put particular emphasis on features that would not have normally been emphasized: teeth, bones, ears, etc.
“Gelede” Mask, Unknown, 1800/1899, From the collection of: Museo Nacional de Antropología, Madrid
Like the previous piece, this mask doesn't entirely focus on the having the facial features look realistic, but instead seems to focus on the hair and the hair decorations.
Mask (Nganga Diphombe), Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This mask was worn by a nganga, a man who had the power to uncover individuals responsible for witchcraft. The white clay used to color this mask probably represents the spirit of a deceased person.
Helmet mask, Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Minneapolis Institute of Art
This large mask, carved from a single piece of wood and colored black, white, and red, would have fit over a dancer's head like a helmet. But it is unclear what type of ceremony it was used for.
Lipiko Mask, Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Lipiko masks are used by the Makonde at boys’ and girls’ initiation ceremonies to represent spirits. The masks are noteworthy for their realism, each depicting details of a particular facial type and hairstyle.
Funerary Headdress (Tugunga), Unknown, late 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Masks are worn during the funerals of the association’s members and during other official activities. Placed on top of the head so that they tower above spectators, the masks inspire respect and awe.
Mask, Unknown, 1880/1900, From the collection of: Museum of Ethnography
This mask from the late 19th century has a very detailed headress using geometric patterns and weavings that we had not seen up to this point.
Cap Mask, Unknown, Late 19th century, From the collection of: Cincinnati Art Museum
This large wooden mask depicts a woman with a large with a very elaborate headdress. this was probably used in some ceremony.
Mask for the Okuyi Society (Mukudj), Unknown, late 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
In the past mukudj masks were danced on stilts in masquerades during funeral celebrations. The mask’s white coloring symbolizes peace, the afterlife, and the spirits of the dead—though today its performances are chiefly for entertainment.
Mask, Unknown, late 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Towards the end of the 1800's the masks begin to look less human, and more geometric and less human. We can see this here as the head is shaped like a crescent moon and the eyes are square.
Mask (Pwoom Itok), Unknown, late 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This mask may have represented a wise older man at boys’ initiations. One of the principal Kuba dance masks is called pwoom itok. The chief identifying characteristic is the shape of the eyes, whose centers are cones surrounded by holes through which the wearer sees.
Mask (mwana pwo), Artist Unknown, African, Chokwe Peoples Angola, 1885/1895, From the collection of: University of Michigan Museum of Art
This mask represents pwo, the beautiful and poised female ancestor honored in the makishi masquerades performed by the Chokwe and neighboring peoples in Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mask has a significant cultural importance to the people of Angola.
Mask, Unknown, Makonde peoples, 19th century - 20th century, From the collection of: Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
Besides the eyes, this is probably one of the most realistic masks of the 18th and 19th century, the contours of the face are realistic, the hair is what one would expect, and all of the features are in the right place on the face of this mask.
Female Kifwebe Mask, Unknown, late 19th or early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
On this mask, the entire face is covered in patterns of geometric grooves that are uniquely characteristic of these masks. Female masks, such as this one, are distinguished by the predominant use of white clay and the rounded form of the head crest.
Gelede Mask, Unknown, late 19th or early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This mask was used by male dancers to symbolize and honor the women, especially the elderly ones, of the community. This was a large part of Nigerian culture in the early 1900's.
Crest Helmet, Ejagham people, Ekoi subgroup, early 20th century, From the collection of: The Toledo Museum of Art
This mask has two heads, a woman on this side, and a man on the other. The man's face has grizzly bared teeth as if going to war and the woman has a stern, but calm look on her face. The juxtaposition of the two really gives us a peek into what the culture was like.
Bwami Society Maskette, Artist Unknown, African, Lega Peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1900/1975, From the collection of: University of Michigan Museum of Art
Maskettes were emblems of an individual's rank in the bwami society. They were also used to aid in the instruction of bwami ideas and values. The meaning of individual maskettes were context specific and could change over time.
Kuosi Society Elephant Mask, Unknown, 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Elephants, leopards, and buffalo are often associated with political power in the highly stratified kingdoms of the Cameroon grasslands. Beadwork is also associated with royalty and high rank, making this Bamileke beaded elephant mask a potent symbol of power.
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