Gouro, Guro animal mask

The Danes are an agricultural people living in western Côte d'Ivoire and the hinterland of Liberia. They have a large number of masked figures representing the spirit of the jungle who serve various social, political and religious functions. Although 11 separate mask types can be distinguished according to formal criteria, these types cannot be assigned to specific functions because the meaning of masks has changed over time. The Danes have gained notoriety in the region for their entertainment festivals, which were originally village ceremonies but are now mostly performed for tourists. During these performances, masked performers dance on stilts. Created by the Kran group, the Kaogle mask is distinguished by its arched cheekbones, triangular nose, and broad, prominent forehead and mouth. This mask in particular is different in that its rectangular eyes protrude from the lower layer of the mask. Such eyes are often characteristic of Dan's neighbors, the Kiel tribe. Other features, such as the interplay of emptiness and mass and the sharp forehead stump, are reminiscent of the work of the nearby Bete tribe. Of course, this mask reveals the artistic influence of each tribe on the other. Khao Lak masks are traditionally used to create a festive atmosphere among the audience before the main festival begins. While this mask once attracted many concerned villagers, today it amazes us with its extraordinary beauty.

These types of African masks, designed to unveil the magician, are carved on the eve of the ceremony. That A stern and sometimes ruthless appearance designed to counter mystical forces. accompanied by Words, gestures, dances and sacrifices, it also intervenes in empowerments outside the mundane sight. Velvet matte patina. Erosion, chip. The appearance of these masks is usually coated with kaolin clay (the white evokes ancestors), in the middle of the night, may cause fear. Ngil males used this type of mask The association responsible for membership and the fight against witchcraft. Ngil is a purification ritual Gorilla symbolizes fire. As the guarantor of peace, he also decided Villages should be established, and conditions for development of agricultural land should be established. Chopped matte patina.

Masked dancers wearing chimpanzee masks, hook sticks and voluminous full-body costumes have turned up at the Dankeran Village Dance Festival to provoke and "heat" audiences with wild jumps and vulgar jokes. The chimpanzee mask offered here is made of light balsa wood and dyed black. It shows the typical form of these "Kagle masks": a protruding, semicircular and flat forehead with a diagonal line at the edge and deep-set slit eyes below (here each has three holes for the previous metal frame), a broad nose between prominent cheekbones on either side, a large, open mouth with wide, pouting lips. Distinguishing features of this particular object are the three holes below the eyes, which were used for an early metal profile (now lost), the original white embossed band on the bridge of the nose, the red tongue with the open mouth, and the embossed band on the inside of the thick lips . There are also embossed decorations on the outside of the cheeks.

This captivating African mask by Abdul Aziz Mohamadu shows a no-nonsense personality and long, narrow face. Ritual scratches adorn his cheeks, and an elephant parades across his forehead. The mask is carved from sesame wood, hand painted and is an original design by talented Ghanaian artisans.