Tribal masks are a common art form in Africa and tell the stories of a tribe. Each mask has a purpose or ties into a story that is important to that particular tribe.
There are many different types of African tribal masks, each with their own purposes and meanings. Some masks are used during ceremonies, some for protection, some as hunting regalia, and others as decorative pieces on the wall. Of course there is overlap between those uses sometimes depending on what type of tribe it represents or how the culture treats their people. Below you'll find more information about the different types of African tribal masks and what they represent within tribes all across Africa! You can even buy these african tribal masks for your home décor today!
Brief Background of African Tribal Masks
Many tribes in Africa use african tribal masks. They are seen as objects that give the person who wears them strength and power, their own or borrowed through the spirit contained within the mask (if one is present). It is believed that african tribal masks protect the wearer from danger like natural predators, but also support good fortune while hunting or gathering food sources to feed their tribe. The african tribal masks serve many purposes depending on the type of mask, but it's common for most types of african tribal masks to be used during various ceremonies. Some african tribal masks are even created solely for ceremony and no other purpose! These ceremonial african tribal masks could be used to pray with spirits or simply celebrate what they have in their lives.
Hunting african tribal masks are intended to give the wearer a good omen when going out on a hunt. They help ensure that any animals or prey they come across will be caught and not killed, so this type of african tribal mask would work best for hunters who want to catch their food instead of kill it. In fact, some hunters may create african tribal masks that resemble the animal they're hunting just to guide them toward their prey!
Decorative african tribal masks are used simply as interior decor pieces around the home. Some african tribes use decorative african tribal masks because they can't afford more functional objects, while other africans folk believe that decorative african tribal masks bring luck and fortune into the home. These african tribal masks could be used to protect a tribe's wealth and remain successful in life, but also to welcome guests with a positive message!
Types of African Tribal Masks
There are many types of african tribal masks used by african people around the world. The type of african tribal mask worn can vary from person to person depending on what they're trying to achieve through wearing it, which is why african tribal mask meanings can vary from tribe to tribe!
Below you will find information about seven different types of african tribal masks that represent different tribes across Africa. You'll learn about what these african tribal masks represent within each tribe, how they're typically created and worn, and where you can buy african tribal masks for sale in your own home!
Mask (Buk Mask)
- This african tribal mask is called a Buk Mask and is used by the Bantu people of central africa.
- The Buk african tribal mask typically only covers the mouth and nose, with large eyes to allow for peripheral vision.
This african tribal mask doesn't have a specific meaning within their tribe, but it's believed that Bantu tribes created this african tribal mask as a representation of being human as opposed to apes or any other primates! They may have also just been inspired by animals living around them in the wild. In fact, there are reports that some hunters wear this african tribal mask before going out to hunt just so they can look less threatening to the prey they're hunting!
Buk african tribal masks are typically created with clay, fiber, and leaves. It's extremely rare to find a Buk african tribal mask that was created using any other materials aside from natural ones found in africa.
Mask (Bulu Mask)
- This african tribal mask is called a Bulu african tribal mask and is used by the Dogon people of south africa.
- The Bulu african tribal mask typically covers the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Sometimes it also covers the neck down to the shoulders!
The purpose of this african tribal mask depends on which tribe or subgroup within the Dogon people created it. Some tribes use this african tribal mask for ceremonies where they communicate with spirits through song and dance, while others use it as a wall decoration around their homes because these masks are beautiful works of art.
While some Bulu african tribal masks have elaborate designs that cover much more than just the face and some even cover a large portion of their bodies, others don't have any designs at all. Some african tribes will add on to these african tribal masks as time goes by for extended family members or loved ones.
Mbaye african tribal masks typically are created using clay and mixed with powdered stone such as limestone or alabaster. They can also be made from Nile mud instead of clay!
Mask (Djembe Mask)
- This african tribal mask is called a Djembe african tribal mask and is used by the Bamana people of Mali, West Africa.
- The Djembe african tribal mask typically covers the mouth and nose, while sometimes also covering the eyes and forehead. It also has two large holes for the african tribal mask wearer to see through!
The purpose of this african tribal mask depends on which tribe or subgroup within the Bamana people created it. The Bambara people were known to use these african tribal masks in ceremonies, like many africans tribes around the world still do today. For example, when a boy becomes a man, they might have danced with one of these african tribal masks while wearing nothing but loincloths!
Masks used in ceremonies are typically very plain because they aren't meant to be seen by anyone other than fellow africans participating in that specific ceremony or ritual. However, others may be painted and decorated elaborately and used as wall decor to represent african tribes.
Masks like the Djembe african tribal mask typically aren't created using any other materials than clay, yet africans have been known to use cowrie shells or cowrie shell fragments in their african tribal masks before!
Mask (Dan Mask)
- This african tribal mask is called a Dan african tribal mask and is used by the Dan people of Côte d'Ivoire.
- The Dan african tribal mask typically covers the mouth, nose, eyes, forehead, and hair! It has two holes for the african tribal mask wearer to see out of as well as one large hole for the african tribal mask wearer to breathe through.
The purpose of this African tribal masks varies depending on which tribe or subgroup within the Dan people created it. Some tribe’s use these masks in hunting rituals where they dance around dressed as their prey with these african tribal masks on. Other tribes may have worn this african tribal mask as some sort of battle african tribal mask!
Masks used in hunting rituals are typically very plain and unadorned so that the african hunters don't scare off their prey. However, masks used in battles will be decorated and painted to look fierce and intimidating.
Mask (Djina african tribal Mask)
- This african tribal mask is called a Djina african tribal mask and is used by the Senufo people of Mali, West Africa.
- The Djina african tribal mask typically covers the mouth, nose, eyes, forehead, ears, and hairline! It has two large holes for the african tribal mask wearer to see out of as as one large hole for the african tribal mask wearer to breathe through.
The purpose of this african tribal masks varies depending on which tribe or subgroup within the Senufo people created it. Some tribes will use these african tribal masks in hunting rituals, while others may have worn them as some sort of battle african tribal mask!
Masks used in hunting rituals are typically very plain and unadorned so that the african hunters don't scare off their prey. However, masks used in battles will be decorated and painted to look fierce and intimidating.