Traditional African masks are much more than decorative pieces; they are sacred objects carrying deep spiritual, social, and ceremonial meanings across many cultures.
This quiz looks at the unique materials, symbolism, and cultural uses of these masks. You will see questions about specific ceremonies, regional styles, and the surprising influence these wooden carvings had on modern art movements.
When you finish this set, browse through our general topic of sculpture, read up on regional art from other continents, or look into global symbols in art.
Which West African country is famous for the traditional Kanaga masks crafted by the Dogon people?
Angola
Angola
Mali
Mali
Kenya
Kenya
Egypt
Egypt
What is the primary technique traditionally used in the creation of many African masks?
Digital printing
Digital printing
Woodcarving
Woodcarving
Plastic molding
Plastic molding
Glass blowing
Glass blowing
What is a primary spiritual purpose of many traditional African masks?
To prevent sunburn during harvest
To prevent sunburn during harvest
To act as a fashion accessory
To act as a fashion accessory
To connect with spirits during ceremonies
To connect with spirits during ceremonies
To hide the face in daily life
To hide the face in daily life
Which famous 20th-century artist was heavily influenced by the abstract aesthetic of African masks?
Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Salvador Dalí
Salvador Dalí
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
The encounter with African masks in the early 20th century was a catalyst for which artistic movement?
Cubism
Cubism
Romanticism
Romanticism
Impressionism
Impressionism
Baroque
Baroque
In many African societies, when might a mask be traditionally worn?
To be placed permanently in a museum gallery
To be placed permanently in a museum gallery
As historical currency for trade
As historical currency for trade
In rites of passage, such as initiations
In rites of passage, such as initiations
For purely decorative home use
For purely decorative home use
Where did Pablo Picasso reportedly encounter the African tribal art that changed his painting style?
The Trocadéro Museum of Ethnography in Paris
The Trocadéro Museum of Ethnography in Paris
The British Museum in London
The British Museum in London
The Cairo Museum in Egypt
The Cairo Museum in Egypt
The Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
The Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
Which animal is traditionally represented in the famous ‘Aka’ masks of the Bamileke people?
Elephant
Elephant
Crocodile
Crocodile
Leopard
Leopard
Lion
Lion
What specific regional art style from West-Central Africa has been noted for its influence on European modernists using beadwork and vibrant textiles?
Greco-Roman
Greco-Roman
Renaissance
Renaissance
Industrial revolution
Industrial revolution
Cameroon Grasslands
Cameroon Grasslands
Which of the three royal masks of the Kuba people represents the original ancestor and king?
Mwaash aMboy
Mwaash aMboy
Kanaga
Kanaga
Ngaady a Mwaash
Ngaady a Mwaash
Bwoom
Bwoom
When a masquerader performs in many traditional African contexts, how is their identity perceived?
It is considered a theatrical performance without religious meaning
It is considered a theatrical performance without religious meaning
The wearer is believed to be possessed or transformed by the represented spirit
The wearer is believed to be possessed or transformed by the represented spirit
The mask is used as a simple disguise for comedic effect
The mask is used as a simple disguise for comedic effect
The mask is seen as an object separate from the wearer
The mask is seen as an object separate from the wearer
Which distinctive pigment is traditionally used to coat the face of the famous Punu masks from Gabon?
Black charcoal
Black charcoal
Red ochre
Red ochre
White kaolin
White kaolin
Yellow silt
Yellow silt
Which Paris-based museum holds one of the world’s most significant collections of African masks today?
The Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay
The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim Museum
Masks are often involved in ceremonies dedicated to what vital community purpose?
Fertility rites
Fertility rites
Tax collection procedures
Tax collection procedures
Building construction permits
Building construction permits
Scientific research logs
Scientific research logs
Which statement best describes the life of a ceremonial mask in its traditional context?
They are considered static objects of aesthetics
They are considered static objects of aesthetics
They are intended to be hung on walls at all times
They are intended to be hung on walls at all times
They are only considered complete when used in movement and dance costumes
They are only considered complete when used in movement and dance costumes
They are exclusively crafted by professional fine artists for sale
They are exclusively crafted by professional fine artists for sale
Which cultural group is well-known for the tall, plank-like “Kanaga” masks used in funerary ceremonies?
The Dogon people of Mali
The Dogon people of Mali
The Himba people of Namibia
The Himba people of Namibia
The Zulu people of South Africa
The Zulu people of South Africa
The Berber people of North Africa
The Berber people of North Africa
How did early 20th-century European modernists perceive African mask design?
A focus on realistic photographic representation of the human face
A focus on realistic photographic representation of the human face
A rejection of foreign influence in the Paris art scene
A rejection of foreign influence in the Paris art scene
A strict adherence to Greek classical proportions
A strict adherence to Greek classical proportions
An appreciation for abstract, simplified forms
An appreciation for abstract, simplified forms
How are many traditional African masks typically colored or decorated?
Copper and brass inlay
Copper and brass inlay
Synthetic lacquers and enamels
Synthetic lacquers and enamels
Polychrome paint made from natural clays and vegetal dyes
Polychrome paint made from natural clays and vegetal dyes
Rarely using any pigment
Rarely using any pigment
The “Sande” society of the Mende people uses specific masks for which context?
Secret society initiations
Secret society initiations
Military victory parades
Military victory parades
Judicial disputes and court trials
Judicial disputes and court trials
Agricultural harvest celebrations
Agricultural harvest celebrations
Which of the following is NOT typically represented in traditional African mask symbology?
Ancestral spirits
Ancestral spirits
Matriarchal female figures
Matriarchal female figures
Ancient Roman deities
Ancient Roman deities
Nature spirits
Nature spirits
What was the role of many masks used specifically in the Dogon Dama ceremony?
They were used exclusively for decorating the burial chamber walls
They were used exclusively for decorating the burial chamber walls
They were crafted to look like specific individuals
They were crafted to look like specific individuals
They were used to bring peace to the dead and ensure them a place in the spirit world
They were used to bring peace to the dead and ensure them a place in the spirit world
They served as functional containers for water storage
They served as functional containers for water storage
What is the primary function of the Dan “deangle” mask, known for its concave face and thin, graceful lines?
To mock village authority figures through comedic mimes
To mock village authority figures through comedic mimes
To lead warriors into battle and terrify opponents
To lead warriors into battle and terrify opponents
To represent idealized feminine beauty and collect food for initiates
To represent idealized feminine beauty and collect food for initiates
To serve as a judicial mask that resolves land disputes
To serve as a judicial mask that resolves land disputes
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
Keen to see how these styles shaped other creators? Try our trivia on famous artists, learn about modern art movements, or see where these masks are housed in museums and galleries.
