Yaure people, from Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa,
made of wood and pigment.

    Among West African spiritualists, masks are believed to possess extraordinary powers. They represent spirits inhabiting the realm of nature.

    Masks are sometimes used during rites of passage for adolescent boys.  The young men wear them while dancing, to gain strength from the spirits.   In some cultures, only specially chosen people are allowed to wear spirit masks.   In that case, the young men are believed to benefit by watching the masked spirit dancer and dancing near him.

    Some people also use masks during funeral ceremonies. The holy man wearing the mask becomes a medium to communicate with ancestors. The ceremony allows the spirit of the person who has died to join his ancestors in the afterlife. When ceremonies end, the mask is carefully stored until it is used again.

 

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