Mossi African art can be both political and spiritual in nature. Figures are used by the ruling class to validate political power, and masks are used by the conquered peoples to control the forces of nature. The several mask styles reflect the diversity of the population before the 15th century invasion. Long tall masks in the north are made by the descendants of the conquered Dogon population, while red, white, and black animal masks in the southwest are made by descendants of the conquered Gurunsi peoples.