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Into Ancestorhood: Death as Continuity in Traditional West African Art
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Masks:

Masks play a central role in funeral activities, as they do in all public rituals.  Generally when a mask is used in a performance it is thought to represent an actual physical visit from the spirit world.  These spirits are usually either ancestors (from the family or clan), figures (mythical or traditional) held in regard by a larger group, nature spirits, or spirits of possession.   Without the context of the ritual, the masks are sometimes considered powerless[5] or it is thought that their powers are dangerously undirected.  In this case the masks are specially stored when not in use at a ritual.
This helmet crest from the very prestigious Komo society of theBamana (Mali), Komo Helmet Crest, Wood, Iron, Feathers, 43 1/4'' Long, [5] Bamana peoples (Mali) exemplifies those worn by members at all important events in life; birth, circumcision, initiation, marriage, and, of interest to us, funerals.  They refer to the symbolism of animals by their design and the feathers, bristles, and bones sometimes affixed to them. [5]

Bamana group of komo masqueraders wearing helmet crests, [5]Here we see the type of helmet crest being worn by a secret society in a public ritual. [5]
This face mask is from the Winiama peoples of Burkina.  It is used byWiniama, Face Mask, Wood, White, Black, and Red Paint, H. 22 5/8 in. [5] males initiated into the highest levels of the mask society.  It is worn in numerous ritual occasions, including funerals and annual ceremonies to commemorate and honor the cumulative dead [5]. Perhaps we see here again in the two human forms a reference to the primordial couple

 

Here we see such a mask in action at a  funeral as a dancer surrounded by onlookers performs (click to enlarge):

Winiama, Performance of a dancer at a Funeral, 1995 [5]
This mask made and employed by the Mmwo people of South-Eastern Nigeria, was used in funerals.  It was believed that theMmwo, Death Mask (?), 17in. [11] dead in some way spoke through the medium of a special society member wearing this mask in the ritual setting.  I am unclear as to whether this sort of mask is still in use,though they continue to be prized possesions in African Art exhibitions around the world. [11]