1. National Museum of African Art Smithsonian Institute On aspect of the Internet is the vast collections of images from museums. This is a collection of slides about African Masks.

2. Helmet Mask Helmet mask (kipoko) Eastern Pende peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo Early-mid 20th century Wood, pigment H x W x D: 28.2 x 28.1 x 28.6 cm (11 1/8 x 11 1/16 x 11 1/4 in.) Gift of Harold Rome 63-1-4 The kipoko mask's performance brings together all members of a community-- those past, those living, those yet to be born. It recalls the roles and duties of everyone but particularly relates to the all-knowing, all-nurturing ideal chief.

3. Cap Mask Yaka peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo Mid 20th century Wood, raffia, plant fiber, skin, cloth, paint, pigment H x W x D: 31.4 x 57.2 x 57.2 cm (12 3/8 x 22 1/2 x 22 1/2 in.) Gift of John A. McKesson 70-13-21 This wooden and fiber mask (mbala) would have been worn or carried by a boy as a public demonstration of his mastery of the dances, songs and skills--including the knowledge of masquerades--that he acquired during the initiation cycle. This mask is in the southern Yaka style, which is rarer in Western collections than masks from the northern Yaka region.

4. Face Mask Dan peoples Côte d'Ivoire Early 20th century Wood, plant fiber, iron H x W x D: 33.7 x 14.5 x 7.4 cm (13 1/4 x 5 11/16 x 2 15/16 in.) Gift of Brian and Diane Leyden 99-21-1 For the Dan, every face mask is linked to a forest or household spirit. In time a mask may perform different roles. Generally round-eyed masks are described as male and are associated with communal activities such as fire prevention.

5. Face Mask Face mask (yu) Guro peoples Côte d'Ivoire Early-mid 20th century Wood, pigment, plant fiber H x W x D: 27.1 x 14.4 x 9.8 cm (10 11/16 x 5 11/16 x 3 7/8 in.) Museum purchase 98-16-1 The Zauli mask is not found in every Guro village. Its role and relationship to other masks vary, as does its appearance. Zauli masks tend to have an abstract antelope form and shiny black surfaces accented with red and white pigment.

6. Crest Mask Crest mask (chi wara kun) Bamana peoples Kenedougou region, Mali Early-mid 20th century Wood, metal, plant fiber, hide, cowrie shells H x W x D: 108.2 x 10.3 x 47.4 cm (42 5/8 x 4 1/16 x 18 11/16 in.) Bequest of Eliot Elisofon 73-7-56 Few objects are so generally identified with African art as the Bamana "antelope" crest mask. It is actually a complex object, with tremendous variations in style and technique.

7. Maskette Mau peoples Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire Late 19th-early 20th century Wood, copper alloy, encrustation H x W x D: 29.1 x 8.0 x 6.0 cm (11 7/16 x 3 1/8 x 2 3/8 in.) Gift of Lawrence Gussman in memory of Dr. Albert Schweitzer 98-15-11 The Mau relate to the Dan and Wee peoples of the forest to their south and to the Bamana of the savanna to the northeast. Like the Dan and Wee, the Mau make miniature versions of their large masks to function as personal protective charms. Like the Komo society masks of the Bamana, Mau masks are heavily encrusted with sacrificial materials. Offerings still remain on the interior of this mask but have been removed from the front.