Masks, along with other African works of art, transcend time by communicating the spiritual heritage of the African people and their culture. African masks are a key part of masquerades and have the ability to enable transition by traversing a liminal space. Henry John Drewal's article, Gelede Masquerade: Imagery and Motif, reveals the motifs and traditions that embody Yoruba life through masks and other sacred traditions. More specifically, the article goes into detail expressing the importance of the "Great Mother" or "The Mothers" and the homage paid to these women with exceptional powers. These motifs surrounding the artistic medium of masks are limitless and influential in guiding “Children” to become responsible members of the community through the wisdom of the Mothers. In this sense, the mask no longer becomes just the embodiment of the Orisha, ancestors, or the representation of an exclusive religious or ritual affair, but rather uses the morphology of the masks to improve the community. The same can be said for the African secret society known as Sande, a group that helps girls on their journey to becoming mature, confident women. Ruth B. Phillips explains in her article, Masking in Mende Sande Society Initiation Rituals, that masquerades are powerful "medicines" for these groups without compromising their "essential mystery." Furthermore, masquerades are a means of communication between the general community and Sande-Mende social life. Furthermore, masks indicate powerful moments of change and transition that shape the development of community members and society. The function and aesthetics of African masks are not solely dependent on its religious function, but instead utilize a mask's ability to represent the values ​​of a culture so that children can grow into their future responsibilities, undertake social roles and pay homage to the deceased . We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The mask in African culture plays a central role in performances created to help children evolve into adulthood. African masquerades are known to enable a dynamic element where the person wearing the mask loses himself to become the spirit of that specific mask. By removing the identity of the individual within the conceptual realms of the masquerade, a dialogue between the African people and the Orishas becomes evident. Although masks allow the medium to have spiritual connotations, masks can also be seen as essential to a rite of passage into adulthood. Considered as part of an initiation, Sierra Leone's Sande secret society is tasked with teaching girls the practical skills to become women. Girls who participate in the Sande initiation undergo three stages: separation from native communities, transition, and finally incorporation into society. Depending on the applicable phase, the ndoli jowei (the dancing sowei) wears the sowei mask which represents the transition to womanhood, sexual maturity and the possibility of marriage. As a symbol of feminine ideals of well-being and beauty, sculpted masks are worn by senior members of the Sande Society to celebrate the maturation of girls and their initiations. Masks and other traditional clothing become a representation of cultural growth due to their intended meaning of educating future generations of girls to become extraordinary women in the community. The Sande Society holds sowei masks as a reminder of their timeless value due to culture's highest priority over nourishment. The masks and the superstructures that.