Masks of Black Africa
by Ladislas Segy

African Masks: The Barbier-Mueller Collection
by Iris Hahner-Herzog

African sculpture speaks
by Ladislas Segy

Carving is an artform found throughout the world. With hundreds of years of experience, Africans have become excellent carvers passing their knowledge down through the generations. Most carvings have traditional or practical importance and serve a purpose in the culture of the sculptor. Although beautiful objects, they are first and foremost utilitarian objects. They can serve to remind us of an important lesson, give us the tool we were lacking, or can serve in rites and rituals. One can find carvings as diverse as plates and eating utensils to stools and statues. Of course there are carvings which serve in traditional rites: masks are one such type of carving.

Masks have always been an important part of African culture. They are used in rituals and festivals which vary from fertility rituals to initiations into adulthood; from healing rituals to agricultural festivals. Masks often serve as the place in which a spirit or soul can be temporarily housed. Masks serve not only as a place to abode spirits but also in various ways such as protective amulets, in funeral rites and as an insturment of power which allows an elder to assert his authority.

Mama hopes that the information the carvers give about each piece will help you choose the carving that suits you best. After all, the artists who make them take great care to create excellent pieces not only so that you will find a good looking art piece; but to maintain the traditional value of the art they make.

Ibo Mask

This mask is traditionally used by the Ibo people of Nigeria to house the spirit of the ancestors.

Baga Fertility Mask

Used in fertility rites, this mask would make a great gift for that friend who is looking forward to having children.

Zamle Mask

This mask is traditionally used in funeral ceremonies. Carried at night, it serves to hunt sorcerers. It is inspired from a mask worn in the Ivory Coast, but carved by craftsman in Ghana. It stands on its own base, making display simple.

15 inches tall

Senufo mask

This mask is worn to repeat deeds of the hero founder, Yirigne.

It is used by the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast in West Africa.

Helmet mask

This mask finds its origins with the N'Tomo of Mali. It is worn during agricultural festivals and communal work.

Hand carved in Ghana by master craftsmen.

Bambara helmet mask

Brought to us by the Bambara peoples of Mali, this mask is traditionally worn by the elders when teaching boys during initiation ceremonies.

Guro Healing Masks

Two different interpretations of the same mask. As you know by now if you are a regular visitor to Mama Afrika's carving stand, masks vary in design depending on the individual carvers interpretation, the wearer he is carving for and even the exact time and place of the festival or ritual the mask is intended for.

Here are two masks traditionally used by the Guro people of the Ivory Coast. It is used in casting spells and consulted in cases of sickness.

Please keep in mind that each piece is an original. Therefore there may be differences in color, and slight variation in size. The artists which share their works with Mama do not make copies of one mask, statue, etc; each is a unique piece of art which has the same inspiration at its root. The photos above are though fair representations of what you can expect your piece to look like.

As many of the objects, especially masks, are made with the intention of serving their original purpose, they may not have holes drilled in the back for hanging purposes, when it is often impossible to do so without changing the original design aspects of the masks. Finally, please try not to have them placed in direct sunlight, and care for them simply by dusting them with a plain soft cloth. No cleaning or polishing products are needed.

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