Masks are used almost in every African tribe. These masks are used for different purposes related to religion, politics and culture. They are used in ceremonies like weddings and funerals, initiation ceremonies, honor, politics and witchcraft. .
In Burkina Faso there is a tribe called Nuna, their tribe has a mask that is called The Buffalo Mask. This mask has large round eyes that stand out, surrounded by circles. It has a short triangular snout and decorative geometric patterns on the surface. This mask is made of wood and pigment. The Nuna people dance with this mask on market days, funerals and initiation ceremonies. Each mask has a special song and each dancer makes a solo. The purpose of this mask is to honor the powerful animal spirits living in the world around them and gain their protection and blessings. (Caleb) The Buffalo mask is used for a religious purpose that is to obtain the protection of the animal spirits, there is another mask called Nwantantay that is also used for this religious purpose.
The Bwa people from Cote d"Ivoire have a mask called Nwantantay. This mask has an abstract geometric form that has patterns that only the initiated men know what they mean. The X's refer to the sacrification marks on the foreheads of the initiated man. Checkerboard patterns represent the separation between God and evil, wise and stupid, and male and female. The white crescent on the top of the plank means "moon of the masks" that shines when the masks perform. It is also made of wood and pigment. The families that own the masks perform in public dance during the seasons when the moon shines. These masks represent the flying spirits from the bush. The spirits in the masks bless the families that dance in public. (Caleb). The Nwantantay mask is also used for religious purposes, but not all of the African masks are used for religion, and some masks like the Okuji, that means female, are used for cultural purposes, such as the meaning of feminine beauty.
