Muti Wa Lipiko masks are part of a legacy of renowned wood carving made in Makonde culture. The masks are performed during male and female initiation ceremonies marking the transition from youth to adulthood, and represent the joy and approval of ancestors at this transition. The naturalistic style represented in this helmet mask is typical of Muti Wa Lipiko masks from Mozambique, while more abstract face masks tend to come from Tanzania. Masks made in the early 20th century, such as this one, incorporated beeswax for the design of the intricate patterns, while newer masks of this type typically have similar patterns carved into the wood.