Many African societies have a rich tradition of masquerades, which are plays, ceremonies, or dances by masked performers. Masquerades provide entertainment, define social roles, and communicate religious meaning. The masks used in such performances may be treasured as works of art. They are also important symbols of ancestors, spirits, or even the history and culture of whole peoples.

Masquerades in Africa are used to celebrate the crowning of a new king or the beginning of the harvest; to commemorate the dead and gain the blessings of ancestors; in rituals or for other events. The carving of the masks is an essential part, as the tools used are often passed down through generations and can inherit the spirit and skill of their previous user.