These masks were probably carved by the Makonde living in southern Tanzania because they tend to have a more eclectic range of masks than the Makonde living in Mozambique on the other side of the Ruvuma River. The former's masks also usually only cover the face while the masks of the latter are often in the form of a helmet. For early flat masks similar to this pair, see Art Makonde - tradition et modernité, Paris, 1989, pp.87-88.
Masks in Makonde society are integral to the rituals of male initiation. The return of the young boys to society after a period of withdrawal is marked by a masquerade performance. In these ceremonies, the mask is a representation from the realm of spirits rather than from the human world. In the case of masks representing women, the characteristic lip-plugs are faithfully rendered. The fact that these masks do not have any indigenous patina suggest that they were either made expressly to be sold or purchased soon after they were carved.