What is Benin Mask?

In the story “Imitation” the imitation Benin mask is a symbol of Nkem's belief that her marriage is also an imitation. Nkem identifies with the men who once guarded the Benin masks that she and her husband have copies of in their home. She wonders if these men, like she, wished they had protection and had some control over their lives. The imitation mask is also significant because Nkem sees her marriage, in which her husband has a live-in girlfriend, as an imitation of a marriage. She wants a real marriage and will do what it takes to get it.