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 agbogho mmuo () masks of the northern igbo which represent the spirits of deceased maidens and their mothers with masks symbolizing beauty and ijele.