If you’re like us, you love African masks–or masks in general. You’d love to have them all, and you think they’d make great gifts. If you’re considering giving an African mask as a gift to a first-time collector (who may not share your appreciation for the cultural icons), it’s important to pick the right mask.
African Initiation Mask of the Toma Tribe
Here’s a guide to our top 10 “giftable” African masks and their meanings. When you gift a mask, don’t forget to include the story with the mask–the background information is what makes the gift more meaningful and appreciated, especially by a first-time mask recipient.
Wedding/Anniversary
When you gift an African Mask, both you and the happy couple will be delighted that you ‘skipped the registry!’ Because of the ancient importance placed on marriage and unity in many African cultures, many symbolic masks are rich with amorous meaning.
African Yohure Togetherness Mask 25″
Two Headed African Mask with Crocodiles 32″
Graduation or New Job/Promotion
In times of transition, rites of passage, or the welcoming of a new phase in life, an African mask can provide the right inspiration and confidence to move toward success.
African Toma Tribal Initiation Mask 26″
African Bamana Courage Mask 24″
New Baby
There’s no better time to share the love of African culture than right when baby arrives! These masks are perfect for a safari-decorated nursery, and they are a popular gift for adoptive parents as well as biological parents.
African Baby Elephant Wisdom Mask 24″
African Baule Baby Elephant Mask 23″
Retirement
As an individual moves into a more relaxing phase of life, try an entertaining and simple African mask that relishes in the beauty of the human form!
African Baule Mask for Entertaining 17″
Birthday/Any Occasion
Everyone loves animals! Animal masks are among the most common and popular of African masks. If you know the recipient’s favorite animal, choose that one. Otherwise, check out these animal masks which have inspiring symbolic meanings that make them gift-worthy.
Hand Carved African Deer Helmet Mask 28″
Flamingo & Crocodile African Mask 24″
In addition to giving that special person a very unique, high-value cultural gift, when you purchase an African Mask at Lotus Masks, a donation to an African charity is made. With every purchase, you get to select a charity to receive a portion of the sale. Currently, we work with three African organizations, benefiting people and animals in mask and craft-making communities. They are:
Foster an African Elephant Project
By choosing the ‘Foster an African Elephant’ option you will help Lotus Masks sponsor an orphaned African elephant.
By choosing the ‘Invisible Children’ option you will help Lotus Masks support the children of war torn Uganda.
By choosing the ‘Save Darfur’ option you will help Lotus Masks support the people of Darfur, Sudan.
Please also remember that this mask gift guide only includes selections from our African Mask collection. There are also many giftable masks and statues including Indonesian masks, Indonesian statues, Tibetan masks, and African statues available in our global mask and statue online store!
Loved how you paired special occasions with the meanings behind the masks! A safari themed nursery sounds adorable too!