It can be argued that this abstraction is the highest achievement of African art. Abstraction in art relates to the non-natural, and the way to abstraction is eased by societies which value spirit over matter. African carvers sometimes leave the secure realm of the naturalness for the fuzzy world of the abstract. This abstraction often reflects a desire to give representation to a non-physical entity, something external to the realm of tangible reality. Needless to say that abstraction matters to a lot of African carvers and that it is an extremely important carving concept in Africa, a world dominated by the spiritual.
Masks hold a special place in African art.
Actually, they constitute the most spectacular segment of African plastic art. African masks can only be truly appreciated in their African contexts. A study of African masks therefore requires a study of African belief systems. Africans live foremost in syncretic environments. Syncretism is a mental disposition that allows fusion of several beliefs, concepts, and practices.