More than 70 Dogon types of mask are known, both anthropomorphic and zoomorphic, made of wood or vegetable fibres. They are made by the members of the awa society and worn in homage to the dama dead. The kananga mask represents the kommolo tebu bird, and is the most common type of mask. Its origin is traced back to a mythical hunter who, having killed one of these birds, took it as a model to make the first kananga mask. The colour of the top part of the mask - black squares on the white background - evoke the kommolo tebu bird.

The dancing ceremonies with these masks are quite spectacular, not only for their size but also because they are always used in great numbers. For a ritual which is held every five years celebrating the dead, at least 400 masks are needed. In their choreographies, the dancers mimic the gestures made by Amma, god of creation, as he was creating the universe. Today, these have become an important product for the tourist industry.