Masks

The masks in our online shop are all handmade in Ghana. The origins of the various masks may well lie in other West African countries. Due to the creativity of the Ghanaian carvers and the needs of their customers, however, they are adapted to Ghanaian needs and thus integrated into their culture.

When carving a mask, the carver attempt to reproduce an idea of the qualities or character of the mask. This enables the addition of other features, often animals or symbols, intended to better demonstrate the spirit of the mask.
Certain forms have been passed on from generation to generation as certain groups request masks familiar to them. The carver’s requirement to work to particular aesthetic conventions does allow for creative innovation.
Many changes have occurred in African societies and the carver must be able to respond to change while retaining a continuity of tradition.