AFRICAN MASK.

  Masks are produced in order to enable the souls of the dead or the protective spirits of a village or society to make their appearance in tangible or visible manner or for a dramatic representation of mythical actions.
   Masks are made in a variety of forms: To cover the face only.
  Enclose the head like a helmet or,
  Be placed as a head dress on the head.
  There are however masks that are not worn but are venerated as sacred objects or miniatures serving as a form of badge or crest of secret societies. Very much like the ancestral figures, masks are also imbued with power and consecrated. They are sacred and to dissacred them would bring mortal consequences.
   The moment a masquerade cult initiate wears and conceals himself in the costume of the mask, it is assumed he is no longer a normal human with  limited powers. He is now imbued with supernatural powers.
    The masquerade comes forth with solemn gait at times on a stilt, and speaks  in a sinister manner, generally conveying an awesomeness one can only attribute to a  spirit, amidst the throbbing of drums, singing, dancing, and oviations by spectators; as the masquerade makes its spectacular appearance.
   There is a whole hierachy of masquerades in African societies, Starting from the highest; great spirit masks, which appear on very rare occassions or decisive moments in the life of the tribe, village etc, to those that settle disputes, collect debts, enforce law and order, nocturnal masks that expel the soul of the dead, or witches, to masks that entertain people.

    Masks/maquerades have very important sociological, political, pyschological roles as well as reducing tension from time to time; In places where there is no central government, they are very important means of social control, while reinforcing the sense of group identity through initiation into masquerade, and ansestral cults.