A big part of African Culture is the use of masks in ceremonies and rituals. The masks represent spirits of animals and mythological creatures or for honoring a person. African masks were created using many different materials such as wood, textiles, copper or bronze. The decorations on the mask had a wide variety including animal teeth, hair, bones, horns, feathers, seashells, straw and egg shells. African culture is comprised into many small villages. The maker of the masks had a high rank in society as the people believed he had a connection to the spirits. Masks can be resembled to enhance the crop yield. A common few that represent this are hyenas, buffalo and antelope. A mask that is meant to resemble power may have horns, and sharp teeth. The wearer of the mask is believed to become a medium between earth and the spirit world. During rituals the wearer goes into a deep trance and communicates with the spirits or ancestors. They get a message from the spirits that is translated into a meaning.
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