Origin - Bwa, Burkina Faso

Use: Courage, Strength, Resilience

This ram-shaped mask is associated with the Bwa people of Burkina Faso, where masks play a vital role in initiation rites, agricultural ceremonies, and community celebrations. The Bwa society guided moral, social, and spiritual training through structured rituals that prepared young members for adulthood and reinforced communal values. The ram mask was worn by initiated men during dances and public processions, through which symbolic messages about strength, fertility, and the protection of the village were conveyed to the community. With its curving horns, bold geometric patterns, and stylized features, this type of mask embodies the values of courage, resilience, and respect for tradition expected of responsible members of Bwa society.