Kanohi

Kanohi are masks which serve multiple functions:


 * They help to identify wearers
 * They plug a Matoran's mouth hole, which prevents energy from leaking
 * They grant powers to beings which are equipped to handle them.

Kanohi are something of a weak point for Matoran. The way they are forged makes them quite rigid, which results in them being broken quite easily. Shattering a Matoran's mask robs them of a part of their identity and in some cases some of their powers, so it's generally looked down upon.

Masks with a certain power have the same or at least a similar look so one can easily identify the power which it possesses. High-ranking Matoran sometimes have their Kanohi custom forged, but this is not common.

The Powers they have are influenced by the elements they are exposed to during the forging process. Two streams of elemental energy from different souces are necessary to imbue a mask with a power.