Zuni ceremonial masks

Zuni ceremonial masks are intricate, sacred objects used in religious rituals by the Zuni people of the American Southwest. Crafted from materials like wood, shell, and natural pigments, these masks represent spiritual figures, animals, and deities. They play a vital role in ceremonies that honor weather, crops, and ancestral spirits, serving as a connection between the human and spiritual worlds. Worn or displayed during rituals, the masks embody specific symbolic meanings and are treated with respect, often protected and stored carefully to preserve their spiritual significance.