 Masking is one of the most common art styles in Igboland and is linked strongly with Igbo traditional music . A mask can be made of wood or fabric , along with other materials including iron and vegetation . Masks have a variety of uses , mainly in social satires , religious rituals , secret society initiations ( such as the Ekpe society ) and public festivals , which now include Christmas time celebrations . Some of the best known include the <unk> <unk> ( Igbo : Maiden spirit ) masks of the Northern Igbo which represent the spirits of deceased maidens and their mothers with masks symbolizing beauty and Ijele . 
