Tribal Mask Tattoos

A mask is an artifact normally worn on the face, typically for protection, concealment, performance, or amusement. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. They are usually, but not always, worn on the face, although they may also be positioned for effect elsewhere in relation to the wearer's own head.

The word mask came via French masque and either Italian maschera or Spanish máscara. Possible ancestors are Latin (not classical) mascus, masca = "ghost", Hebrew masecha= "mask" and Arabic maskharah = "jester", "man in masquerade".

The 5000-year-old Sumerian mask of Warka is believed to be the oldest surviving mask. Looted from the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad, it was recovered in 2003.
source: wikipedia