African Authentic Cultural Warrior Bamun Dancing Mask, bangwa Mask From Cameroon

  
This Bamum Warrior mask symbolizes an ancestor and is worn at funerals and memorial celebrations. The masker places it on top of his head and wears a mesh veil to cover his face.

Many masquerades mark transitions within the cycle of life. When boys and girls mature from youth to adulthood, masquerades celebrate this life change and teach children how to be adults.

Masquerades also play a large role in funeral ceremonies. To help the deceased enter the afterlife, masked spirits appear to honor ancestors, provide protection, and offer guidance.

Masquerade performances honor spirits who bring prosperity to a community. Women are powerful in their communities because they are able to give birth. To help promote fertility, masked spirits perform special ceremonies. Masquerades are also performed at harvest time to honor farming spirits and promote a successful harvest. Masked spirits can provide protection and help maintain social order. A community may perform a masquerade to ask spirits for protection in war and against disease and natural disasters. Elders wear masks to call upon ancestors' spirits when they need assistance in judging a crime. Masquerades are also performed on many occasions for simple celebrations. These include ancestor celebrations, royal events, religious ceremonies, weddings, and festivals.