Facial Mask

It is a male mask. Male masks, mainly war masks, are difficult to differentiate from the masks of their neighbours the Krus of Ivory Coast. Made from an elongated table, in this case it is of smaller proportions. They usually have an elongated nose between one or two 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 provided with a raffia beard and hair formed by painted feathers, local gallinaceae, or other birds. Some masks wear more or less torn eyes and tubular projections under the eyes. The polychrome is very sober, it was painted in a dark grey and white color. It is less spectacular than the masks of the same Ivorian ethnic group.

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. This mask is probably a family mask. Very old patina.