Hyena mask

Baule people, Ivory Coast

18 inches, painted wood

One of the oldest entertaiments in Baule country is a masked dance variously called Gbagba, Ambomon or Adjemble. The performance includes masks portraying many human and animal characters from everyday life. It is performed by costumed young men or boys who mimic hunting and eventually "kill" the masked person and carry him off in triumph. This skit provides some lessons in hunting and gives young people an opportunity to parody their elders in a typically African method of social control.

This helmet mask of a hyena appears to be authentic and possibly used. Was worn horizontally and the dancer looked through the mouth. Illustrated on page 10 of Masks from Around the World.

$495