In male initiation rites, helmet masks associated with the Suku tradition serve as important elements, representing the spiritual presence of departed elders and acting as protective forces within the community. They are believed to secure success in hunting, assist in healing, and guard the wearer against harmful influences. When carved in the form of antelope or gazelle, the imagery connects with oral traditions, drawing together folktales, proverbial wisdom, and the personal exploits of hunters into a single symbolic expression.