African Masks Deteriorating? Here’s What You’re Missing

In many parts of the world, an African mask is commonly used as decoration. It may hang on a living room wall, sit on a shelf, or be placed as a centrepiece in a modern interior. While visually striking, this use of African masks represents a complete shift from their original cultural purpose. Traditionally, African…

New: the 2nd edition of Within Carved Lines: The Secret Meanings of African Masks is out now. Get the book → Africa, a continent of unparalleled cultural richness and diversity, has gifted the world with an extraordinary legacy of artistic expression. Among its most iconic and profound creations are traditional African masks—sacred objects that transcend…

New: the 2nd edition of Within Carved Lines: The Secret Meanings of African Masks is out now. Get the book → African masks make a genuinely good school project. Bold shapes. Real symmetry. Room for a kid to make it their own. Done right, it is also a small chance to teach real culture instead…

One of the most common questions people ask about an African mask is also one of the most misunderstood:   Do African masks have spirits? This question appears frequently in online searches, museum discussions, and private conversations—often surrounded by mystery, fear, or exaggeration. Popular culture has portrayed African masks as objects that are inherently possessed,…