Yacouba

The Yacouba are a group of people who live in Guinea, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire.  They are known as the "people of the mask" and love to dance and sing in various rituals, the Yacouba dancer dolls represent this traditional dancer.  They also produce many drums which they use for their various festivals.  

The masks represent the home of the spirit of a dead ancestor.  When someone dies their soul enters a mask and when a person wears the mask they are able to give life to the spirit which lives in the mask.  Through rituals and observances the masks constantly reaffirm the supernatural world in the life of the Yacouba.