Decorative African mask. A Makonde Lipoko mask is a traditional ritual mask originating in south-eastern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. It is made by the Makonde, an ethnic group with a rich carving tradition. Lipoko masks, usually made of light wood and sometimes decorated with real hair or pigments, were used during initiation rituals and burial ceremonies. They symbolised spirits of ancestors and acted as a link between the living and the spiritual world. The expressive facial expression of the mask often with open mouth, prominent cheekbones and engraved patterns enhanced the mystical atmosphere of the ceremonies. Today, Makonde masks are valued not only as cultural heritage, but also as special art objects that combine craftsmanship and spiritual significance.