The dark patina serves to protect and embellish them, it is made according to ancient customs by rubbing particular leaves and roots on the wood.
The inability to see the wearer's eyes during ceremonies indicates that he belongs to the higher ranks in the hierarchy of masks, unlike those with round eyes.
In rare cases, African masks are associated with works of witchcraft.
These masks belong to isolated individuals or small secret societies who seek to steal and use the occult possibilities of the supernatural universe to their advantage.