Mask Passport

The Grebo They have three types of masks, those of hunter formed by a solid face overmounted by two horns of the small forest buffalo, abundant animal in the area. A mask of feminine characteristics that tends to imitate that of its Ivorian neighbours DanAnd the male masks, mainly war masks, difficult to differentiate from the masks of their neighbours the Krus of Ivory Coast. Made on an elongated board. They usually have an elongated nose between one, two or several pairs of tubular eyes. In some cases they can present up to five or six pairs of tubular eyes and are the embodiment of an ancestor, this privileged vision allows them to search all the hidden aspects of life and the world. Often endowed with a raffia beard and hair formed by painted feathers, local gallinaceae. Some masks wear more or less torn eyes and low-eyed tubular projections. Polychrome alternates the colors red, blue and white on black background.

Their masks can only be worn by initiates. They represent the ancestors and spirits of nature. Although initially they were masks of war they participated in funerals and today also in playful acts.

Parasort masks are small-sized masks also called “San Cristóbal”. They are employed by travellers travelling abroad or outside their region. They are sewn to a piece of cloth and are tied to their backs, to the height of the waist. Sometimes they are also stored in the suitcase or between the clothes. They also serve to identify and penetrate the sacred forest. They are usually copies of family masks. They protect against accidents. They serve to identify and be recognized as members of a particular ethnic group. They are usually copies of family masks and participate as witnesses in initiation ceremonies. When there are accommodation problems this mask always puts in the middle of the way to some acquaintance who will solve the problem. On ritual dates its bearer will present offerings and libations to these masks.

It has three functions: It protects its bearer, facilitates accommodation and receives the offerings of its possessor.

This mask has three pairs of tubular eyes, white with a cross in the middle, rectangular mouth and a median edge that constitutes the nose and goes up to the top very pointed. Brown patina.