Ancestor Mask

Among the dogon masks are rare those depicting portraits of ancestors. This mask represents an Andumbulu, under the traits of an old man with a beard. The andambulus are considered the first inhabitants of the cliffs of Bandiagará and it is they who taught the magic words to the Dogon and the way to live on the cliffs. They were men of reddish skin and small size called spider man or andambulu and they occupied the area since the century III before Christ. And they are considered to be the true owners of the land. Their statues represent them with a cane in their hand.

This mask as a case all the masks of the Dogon are attributes of the secret societies of men and intervene in the male funerals and in the mourning uprisings, which always takes place two or three years after the death of an important character. But Andambulu masks are also used in the rain ceremony, as the mask plays an important role at the time of planting; is placed in the fields to prevent the theft of the fruits and defend the crops of evil spirits that may roam the village.

After the ritual harvest, the masks are removed; the Dogon They keep them in the shelter of the rocks and in the holes of the walls of their ravines, away from the eyes of women.

The living and the dead have a close relationship of dependence. The living make offerings to the dead for the eternal rest of their soul and in turn the dead protect the living and give them their advice.

Like many dogon masks, this mask has square eyes and bulging lips in an open mouth. The beard is represented by vertical stripes. Patina of time.