The "Awa" is a masked dance society that holds important ritual and social importance. It has a strict code of etiquette, obligations, interdicts, and a secret language ("sigi so"). All initiated Dogon men participate in Awa, with the exception of some caste members. Women are forbidden from joining and prohibited from learning sigi so. The 'Awa' is characterized by the intricate masks worn by members during rituals. There are two major events at which the Awa perform: the 'sigi' ritual and 'dama' funeral rituals.