What is the significance of the famous Cameroon Grassland's masks and how are they used? Regarding the cultural background, there has been, up to now, as good as no information. Hans-Joachim Koloss demonstrates that the masks in Oku are a central cultural element and have a close connection to the supernatural medicine which is a protection from witches and other destructive forces. In addition to a detailed portrayal of the political and social system, he discusses each of the subtle interdependent ties between society and world-view, which include ideas of the sense and purpose of life, the relationship to the environment as well as the values and standards which determine social and political actions