We investigated five ritual African masks from Mali, Africa. These masks are kept in Slovene Ethnographical museum in Ljubljana. Objective of the research was to find out if the masks were made of one or more wooden pieces, to identify the wood species and to define the origin of the mask. We developed an optimal sampling procedure that structural characteristics remain unchanged and assures that sampling location is not seen when the mask are later exhibited in the museum. The samples have been prepared according to standard methodology of wood anatomy and wood identification. Examination showed that the masks were made of one or two wooden pieces. Four masks out of five were in very good condition. Two masks of type Kanaga belong to Dogon tribe. These masks were used in rituals when the soul of the death person has been transformed and during the ritual called Siris. One of the Kanaga masks is made of kapok (Ceiba pentandra) wood, and the other out of abura (Mitragyna ciliata). The first one is original, the second one is a copy made for tourists. The other three examined masks belong to the type ChiWara used by Bambara people. They are linked to rituals used for successful agriculture. One of this masks is made of kosipo (Entandrophragma candollei), and two of them of kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra). Each of the three ChiWara masks is different in shape and was used for different purpose. To the shape of the mask and the wood species provide information on origin of the mask and help to define the purpose for which the mask were made and use.
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