Masks tell a story, a culture and incorporate a spiritual meaning that can be easily apparent to most people. African masks can seem daunting to some people who are not familiar with their meaning and functions.
African masks were used in ceremonies and rituals, within various African tribes. The specific purposes and meanings associated with the masks vary widely in different cultures, however they were most commonly used for weddings, births and funerals. They describe deities, ancestral spirits, mythological beings, good and or evil, the dead, animal spirits and other beings believed to have power over humanity.