Masks might be found amongst nearly all cultures world wide. Surviving from the treasure of Chief Rumanika of the Karagwe (on the western shore of Lake Victoria), and seen by the explorer Henry Morton Stanley in 1876, are wrought-iron figures of two bulls and an eland, a chicken of copper foil, and different metallic objects that may have formed part of the chief’s regalia.

Other arts well-known among the many Asante embrace a distinctive royal architecture, with facades deriving from the patterns of Islamic calligraphy; sculptures representing the Queen Mother; funerary vessels and terra-cotta portrait” heads; and akuaba, wood figures commissioned and cared for by ladies who need a successful pregnancy.

Some pressure exists between Do leaf masks and Bwa wooden masks, as the leaf mask is a more historic and indigenous masks form. Artists argue that the costs of their items fairly reflect their financial realities, plus some artists have shown internationally and really feel they’re justified in asking for extra money.

But now they are housed in locations just like the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork. Their intention was to supply bursaries for artists who wished to study formally or attend art workshops and residencies. Gilbert G. Groud criticizes the ancient beliefs in black magic , as held with the spiritual masks talked about above, in his illustrated book Magie Noire.

Comparable objects are also carved in ivory, and in some circumstances copper, brass, and iron are used. El Anatsui creates dramatic metallic sculptures that resemble great cloths. Some masks appear at just one festival, however the majority seem at many or all.