Dan mask Pende mask ; Baule mask.
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Title |
Dan mask Pende mask ; Baule mask. |
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Description |
3 masks :$bwood, col. ;$c20-38 cm. high in case 54 x 66 x 16 cm. +$e1 card. For the Dan of Côte d'Ivoire, masks are mythical bush spirits, owners of the land, who uphold the authority of the elders. The Dan people make sacrifices to these masks which may be passed down through the generations or taken in war and used by the conquerors. Masks may be employed in different ways, or be physically changed over time. Because of these changes in function, it is difficult to know exactly how a particular Dan mask may have been used. This Dan mask could have been used to perform fire prevention duties. In order to prevent fires from breaking out during the hot dry summer, a masked person may rush into women's kitchens at midday making sure that all their fires are extinguished and creating havoc if they are not. Similarly, the purpose of the Pende mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is uncertain. This type of mask was danced during celebrations held when the newly initiated and circumcised boys return to the village as men. There are a number of characters this mask could represent, such as hunters, traders, drunkards, and handsome heroes, and it would be necessary to see the mask during use to know exactly what type it is. The same mask could represent different spirits depending on how it is danced, on what songs and music are performed and what objects the dancer carries. However, because of its beard marked with the triangular patterns of the viper, it is likely that this mask represents Muyombo, the war hero, or one of his "brothers" such as the hunter Galusumba or Ginjinga the herbalist. Also from Côte d'Ivoire, the Baule mask in this case was specifically made for the tourist market. We can guess this because it is too small to wear on the face, and because it is not carved out all the way in the back. It is a beautiful example of this type of mask. The carver has taken traditional African elements and created an original mask for the tourist market. Changes occur to the surfaces of masks used in actual ceremonies and performances. Beer and blood offerings are poured over the masks during ceremonies, and over the years this changes and colors the surface. This change in surface is called a patina. Tourist mask carvers have found excellent ways to create fake patinas on their masks to make them look as though they have been used in ceremonies. |
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Subject |
Masks, Dan--Côte d'Ivoire.; Masks, Pende--Congo (Democratic Republic); Masks, Baule--Côte d'Ivoire.; Dan (African people)--Religion--Rituals.; Pende (African people)--Religion--Rituals. |
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Date |
[197-] |
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Replicas and Objects of the Giertz Education Center, Krannert Art Museum
