Like the stained-glass windows of many churches, the masks created and worn by African tribes bear a deep spiritual purpose, but can stand just as well as works of art.

Most tribal masks are carved from wood, although some are leather, cloth, or metal. They are often decorated with ornaments made from more delicate materials like animal hair, feathers, seashells, and seeds. Many masks are also painted white because of its positive meaning in African culture; it represents both death and a link back to one's ancestors. This is also why (when not carved into the face of an animal) many masks are carved as a human face: to imitate and summon an ancestral spirit.

A tribal mask can be worn in one of three ways: over the face, on top of one's head as a helmet, or as a crest on the forehead. They're usually held in place with a scarf or elaborate wig. Masks can also be carried by hand, knee, or shoulder as part of the ritual.

Masks are worn as a means of channeling spirits for important rituals and ceremonies within the tribe, such as weddings, funerals, coming of age rites, and the harvest. Some of these rituals can be viewed as a type of theatre, for wearing such masks is a serious matter. The wearer loses his identity and becomes the spirit whose face he wears. In many cases, the spirit is an ancestor, but it could also be a nature spirit. In such cases, the mask's features are exaggerated rather than realistic because they seek to capture the essence of a spiritual being for a ritual rather than its true form.

The tradition of tribal masks has lasted for thousands of years, in many cases surviving to the modern day as tribal life continues in different regions of Africa. However, the impact of European colonialism and more modern upheavals have displaced many tribes from their territory and disrupted their cultural transmission from the past.

Tribal masks continue to remain popular as cultural artifacts and as commercial works of art. This popularity has a noticeable impact at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the style of African masks influenced such artistic movements as Cubism and Expressionism. Not only did these movements have a significant effect on modern art, but it raised more interest in the tribal art and culture of Africa, bringing unique style into the larger world.

Image Credit: Dan Culleton on Flickr