Babanki Elephant Mask, Cameroon

African art and masks of the Babanki people. The Babanki people, who live in the western grassland of the Cameroon, share the tradition of elephant masks with their neighbors, the Bamileke. The Elephant mask is the typical Babanki style, hand crafted of wood using brass, and/or  copper for decorative purpose. They are worn on the head during dance ceremonies & funeral processions by so called Juju dancers. The elephant is considered a royal animal among the Babanki, so these masks are reserved for higher ranking tribal leaders.

Masks are a window into the soul of a culture, and provide us with great conversation pieces for the home. African masks are possibly the most admired and well known art form of Africa. They are both idea and form. The artistry of African masks is self evident but, for the people who create them, they have a much deeper meaning than surface beauty. African Masks are believed to embody the spirit and symbolize a message of wisdom, prosperity, security, and power. Stylish elements in a mask’s looks are codified by the tradition and may either identify a specific community or convey specific meanings. Putting on a mask is a transformative experience. It allows us to be someone we’re not for a moment, changing both how we see ourselves and how we behave outwardly. Many of us know this feeling from Halloween in America, but it’s a universal feeling shared across cultures throughout human history.