Akan mask

Ghana, West Africa

11.5 inches, painted wood

Our circular wooden mask closely resembles one of those popular tourist masks from Ghana.This style is based on traditional masks made by the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The Akans still have one of the richest cultures, unadultrated by Islam or Christianity. The crude, bright paint job suggests the possibility ritual usage in remote areas of Ghana or other parts of West Africa, and is not what the tourist market thrives on.