We recently had someone write to us about finding an African ceremonial mask hidden in the attack of their home and wondered what to do with it.

This is a great question!

These ceremonial masks are not unfamiliar to us and can be seen in various places, from museums to yard sales. During my house search a few years back, I went to a home that had about a dozen of these garish looking masks on a wall in the living room. My agent didn’t know if the masks were real or not but I didn’t care. The sight of them was just plain creepy and I was unable to take a serious interest in the place.

So what’s the story behind these masks? Is there any danger in having them in your home?

First of all, not all African masks are authentic (meaning they were made for and used in rituals). There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mask that was made just for decoration.

The real ones are a different story. For the most part, they are used in African tribal rites such as coming-of-age and spiritual rituals.

As this article explains, "In many African tribes, masks hold profound cultural and spiritual importance, serving as conduits between the living and the spiritual realm, linking communities to ancestors, gods, and spirits. They play a central role in initiation rites, marking life transitions such as coming of age or entry into secret societies. These ceremonies are rich with symbolism, featuring elaborate dances, music, and storytelling that reinforce social bonds and cultural identity."

The mask is also believed to summon spirits, provide guidance and offer protection, the article continues. "They are used in religious and social events to represent the spirits of ancestors or to control the good and evil forces in the community. They come to life, possessed by their spirit in the performance of the dance, and are enhanced by both the music and atmosphere of the occasion. Some combine human and animal features to unite man with his natural environment. This bond with nature is of great importance to the African and through the ages masks have always been used to express this relationship.”

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the mask is cursed, but we should not have any objects in our home that have been associated with magic rituals (aka sorcery). They should be sprinkled with holy water, then removed from the house and destroyed (preferably by burning and the ashes scattered in a local stream or creek).

If you are unsure if an African mask is authentic, you can always take it to a local museum where experts will be able to investigate it for you.

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