THE MASK

Masks as well as statues are symbols of the Bamoun, the Bamileke or the Tikar life. As a functional sign, the mask in these societies is considered as a liturgical costume which was used for specific rites during ceremonies or any other celebration, and which signified the way of life of the population. That is the most striking aspect of most of the rnasks found in this book. As alrendy said, they are mingled with statues made either of wood or metal or bronze, and coming from the Bamun, Bamileke or Tikar areas.

The masks are elements of a long traditional history in Africa. in fact accorrling to paintings from Tassili, Ennedi or Tchad. these masks seem to have been used a long time ago.

ln African traditional societies, the use of masks has been associated with agricultural rites. funerals or initiation rites; and they seem to explain the religious system too. In African traditional society (the Bamileke for instance), the mask was to assert at regular intervals the presence and the variety of myths ln everyday life. The mask was also used to represent protector spirit against evil-doers and wizards. It was a being who protected the one who wore it or a genius or an animal such as a leopard or a panther etc. . . This is what we still discover in many masks belonging to the West Cameroon people.